2. FRSC Programme Update Jan 26 final
Renfrewshire Council · 28 January 2026
Back to Fairer Renfrewshire Sub-committee — 28 January 2026 and its agenda
Text extracted from the council's PDF. Layout and reading order may differ from the original.
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1 PUBLIC ___________________________________________________________________ To: Fairer Renfrewshire Sub-Committee On: 28 January 2026 ___________________________________________________________________ Report by: Chief Executive ___________________________________________________________________ Heading: Fairer Renfrewshire Programme Update ___________________________________________________________________ 1. Summary 1.1. The Council and partners have a key focus on tackling inequality and improving wellbeing and have longstanding programmes of work and partnership arrangements in place such as the Tackling Poverty Programme and the change programme established in response to the findings of the Renfrewshire Drug and Alcohol Commission. 1.2. At Council on 2 March 2023 members reaffirmed their commitment to the Fairer Renfrewshire programme and outlined several investments including bringing together the current Fairer Renfrewshire funding alongside the Tackling Poverty and Social Renewal reserve funds into a single resource. 1.3. At Council on 27th February 2025, members further reaffirmed their commitment to the Fairer Renfrewshire programme with continued investments in a number of targeted interventions including additional welfare rights and schools advice funding, a targeted programme of summer activities for children and young people from low-income families, another year of the Winter Connections programme in 2025/26, and a further winter school clothing payment in 2025. 1.4. At Leadership Board on 3 December 2025, a Fairer Renfrewshire Action Plan detailing the priorities and programme of work to be undertaken over the next 18-24 months was approved. This plan refreshes and sharpens focus on the priorities for the Fairer Renfrewshire Programme. 1.5. Over the next two years, we will concentrate on four strategic priorities: • Improving Financial Security Helping households maximise income, reduce costs, and access early help to prevent crisis. • Strengthening Health, Wellbeing and Community
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2 PUBLIC Supporting families and communities through sustainable models of care, food security, and place-based approaches. • Embedding Equality and Inclusion Ensuring services are accessible, inclusive, and shaped by the voices of those who are often unheard. • Using Insight and Evidence for Impact Harnessing data, feedback, and lived experience to drive better decisions and deliver measurable change. 1.6. In line with this plan, key priorities for the Fairer Renfrewshire Programme for January to March 2025 are as follows: • Development of our equality of opportunity programme • Finalise the re-commissioning of external advice contract • Deliver and evaluate this year’s Winter Connections programme • Evaluate the legacy Tackling Poverty projects which are part of the Fairer Renfrewshire programme and consider sustainability options. 1.7. Progress updates are contained in Section 4 of this report. 2. Recommendations 2.1 It is recommended that members of the Fairer Renfrewshire Sub-Committee note the report. 3. Background 3.1 As highlighted in Section 1, the Fairer Renfrewshire Programme brings together a number of existing programmes of work focussed on achieving fairness and equity. After a refresh approved by Leadership Board, the programme currently works to deliver against 4 key themes: • Improving financial security • Strengthening Health, Wellbeing and Community • Embedding Equality and Inclusion • Using Insight and Evidence for Impact 4. Fairer Renfrewshire Programme Updates Improving Financial Security School Support and Family Advice Service 4.1 Between 1 October July and the 31st of September 2025, the School Support Service assisted 33 clients. These clients made a combined 53 individual contacts. Appointment levels in Q3 were lower than typically expected, due to adviser absence and the festive closure.
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3 PUBLIC 4.2 Total client financial gains (CFGs) for the period were £48,189.42 achieved across 21 clients. This included £25,324.21 relating to Universal Credit, £13,712.30 from Adult Disability Payment (Daily Living), and £7,066.80 from Attendance Allowance. Additional gains were also achieved through Council Tax reductions (£1,349.11), energy advice (£287), and charitable support, including Foodbank referrals. 4.3 In terms of advice demand, benefits remained the most common advice area, followed by housing and education-related enquiries, reflecting ongoing pressures on families around household costs and disability-related needs. A significant proportion of clients supported were single-parent families (39.4%) and families with children with disabilities (27.3%), which continues to be a consistent theme within the service. 4.4 Looking ahead to Q4, expectation is that the number of clients supported will increase, as the School Support adviser has now returned to work and service capacity has returned to normal levels. 4.5 For quarter 3 of 25/26, Advice Works had 113 referrals for their Family Advice Service and completed cases. 4.6 Client Financial Gain for the quarter for Family Advice is £4164.60, with the total for the year so far being £63,904.10, however even in cases where a client speaks to an adviser and there is no financial gain made, the client benefits from the reassurance of a benefit check, with 104 of these completed during the quarter. Meeting with Advice Works also opens discussion on all financial matters that may be worrying the client, such as debts and budgeting. 4.7 With regard to the Child Poverty Priority Groups, Advice Works have seen 74 families within the Family Advice Service so far this year, falling into these categories: CHILD POVERTY STATS Q3 Lone Parent 28 Disabled Ad/child 16 3+ children 10 Minority ethnic 7 Child under 1 10 Parent under 25 3 Total 74 Strengthening Health, Wellbeing and Community Community Development in Gallowhill
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4 PUBLIC 4.8 As previously reported to the sub-committee, at Leadership Board on 4 December, £50,000 of Fairer Renfrewshire funding was allocated in grant funding to Active Communities to support the continuation of community development activity in Gallowhill following the publication of the earlier Community Needs Assessment which took place in the area. This is intended to provide capacity to support the development and implementation of actions emerging from the community needs assessment and continue to improve and expand community led activity and infrastructure in the area. 4.9 Unfortunately, the Community Development Officer (CDO) for Gallowhill resigned in September, however a new CDO has now been successfully recruited and started at the beginning of January. Officers, however, have continued to work with Active Communities, and using the Community Needs Assessment are prioritising areas of work which will make a difference to the community. A meeting with Transport colleagues took place in November, and it has been agreed that Shopmobility will support a free, comprehensive accessibility survey in the area. 4.10 The remaining funding will support this part-time CDO post for one year, with Active Communities also part funding the post to carry out a community needs assessment in the Howwood Road area of Johnstone. Officers have been working with Active Communities to gather data for the area to support this piece of work and will examine what supports could be made available, for example advice, within the Housing Regeneration Team’s premises in the area. 4.11 Active Communities received an ex-mobile bank vehicle from Royal Bank of Scotland in December and utilising funding through the Sustainable Communities Fund and other funders, will transform this into a mobile pantry which will reach areas within Gallowhill with no current access to public transport. The van will also be used to take services, for example advice provision, out into the community. This van will also be utilised in the Howwood Road area. Winter Connections 4.12 At Leadership Board in May 2025, it was agreed that £75,000 of funding be allocated from Fairer Renfrewshire programme to provide small grants to local organisations to support a Winter Connections programme in partnership with local organisations. The programme aims to encourage people to connect and participate in activities in warm and welcoming spaces across communities in Renfrewshire. 4.13 The funding will support local community and voluntary organisations with the additional costs of making venues, activities and sessions open as part of the programme, such as equipment, food, energy costs, and rent and funded activities must fit the criteria of Winter Connections and be: • Open, free and easy to access (although this can mean open to all within a particular age or targeted group)
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5 PUBLIC • Inclusive, welcoming, respectful, and safe • Able or willing to provide connections to other services and supports • Able to offer warm drinks/snacks/food along with activities, where possible 4.14 The Winter Connections programme opened for applications on 22 September. Due to the number of applicants, it was suspended on 6 October by which time 47 applications been received. The applications had a good geographical spread across Renfrewshire, with five of the villages currently represented, as well as Renfrew, Johnstone and Linwood and various areas in Paisley. They also offered a wide range of activities across different days and times. 4.15 The applications were assessed by a panel consisting of officers from Renfrewshire Council, Renfrewshire Health and Social Care Partnership and Engage Renfrewshire, with authority delegated to the Head of Policy and Partnerships to award grants in consultation with the Council Leader. 4.16 A full list of awards and activities is at Appendix 1. Fair Food Renfrewshire/Good Food Nation 4.17 On 17 December, the Scottish Government provided an update on the publication of the national Good Food Nation Plan, that the first national Good Food Nation Plan has now been published and formally laid before the Scottish Parliament. It outlines six over-arching Outcomes, Scottish Government food-related policies in place to achieve these Outcomes and the measures they will use to assess progress. The publication of the national Good Food Nation Plan is important for relevant authorities because there is a statutory duty on relevant authorities to have regard to the national Plan when preparing their own respective Good Food Nation Plans. 4.18 Officers continue to attend relevant events to support the work of Fair Food Renfrewshire and around the Good Food Nation (Scotland) Act 2022. Section 10 of the Act, which is not yet in force, requires each relevant authority, to publish a local Good Food Nation Plan within a period of 12 months, starting from the date upon which section 10 is commenced. 4.19 Following concerns raised by relevant authorities that 12 months might not be long enough to develop and publish their local Good Food Nation Plans, Scottish Government requested feedback on what an appropriate length of time might be. From this, they have agreed 24 months is the preferred timeline for developing and publishing the local Good Food Nation Plans, and they are currently considering legislative and non-legislative mechanisms to provide 12 months’ advance notice of the commencement of section 10. This would provide relevant authorities a total of 24 months to publish their local Good Food Nation Plans.
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6 PUBLIC 4.20 The update advises that the Scottish Government will let local authorities know as soon as possible when they intend to commence section 10 and guidance will be available to support with drafting and consultation. Renfrewshire Foodbank 4.21 At December’s Council meeting, funding of £10,000 was approved to Renfrewshire Foodbank to support them over the winter period. Officers are working with the Foodbank to swiftly administer the grant. 4.22 Statistical information around clients and reasons for Foodbank voucher issue will continue to be collected on a quarterly basis. Officers also intend to work with the Foodbank this quarter on referral pathways in line with the Fairer Renfrewshire Action Plan. Renfrewshire Community Food Education Small Grants 4.23 The Renfrewshire Community Food Education Small Grants fund opened on 14 January 2026. This is a £10,000 fund for organisations based in Renfrewshire to deliver food education sessions that increase understanding and confidence to make healthier food choices and improve practical cooking skills. 4.24 The fund is being delivered by Renfrewshire HSCP Health Improvement Team, and is available to voluntary sector organisations, community groups, food pantries and local food initiatives. Applications can be made for grants of up to £1,000 to support embedding community food education within organisations. This may be through developing a new project or incorporating food education into an existing project or initiative. This might include, but is not limited to: • Costs associated with delivery of food education sessions such as training materials and resources. • Support with costs of food and/or equipment, including transportation of these. • Costs associated with premises, including equipment and/or storage. 4.25 The aim of the fund is to promote healthier eating habits through improved food literacy and practical cooking skills, in line with the Good Food Nation Plan and local health improvement priorities. Initiatives should empower communities to make informed food choices and reduce health inequalities. The last date for applications to the fund is 4th February. Embedding Equality and Inclusion Equalities Outcomes Consultation
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7 PUBLIC 4.26 In May 2025 Council was presented with a set of draft Equality Outcomes for 2025-2029, based on data, evidence and insight into the inequalities that exist in Renfrewshire. The six draft equality outcomes are: • Outcome 1: New Scots feel welcomed, supported, and have equal opportunities to thrive in our communities. • Outcome 2: Disabled and older people experience improved access to public buildings, services, and transport, ensuring greater independence and participation in community life. • Outcome 3: Improved economic prospects for women, ethnic minority people and disabled people. • Outcome 4: All residents can access information and services in an inclusive and accessible manner. • Outcome 5: Our workforce better reflects the diversity of our community, in terms of ethnicity and disability. • Outcome 6: People with lived experience of inequality and exclusion will be more involved in informing and co-designing policy and practice that affects them. 4.27 These draft Outcomes were subject to a full consultation throughout from September to October 2025. From the consultation responses, themes for a supporting action plan have been identified, with further details of the consultation in a separate item being brought to the Sub-Committee. Using Insight and Evidence for Impact Lived Experience Panel 4.28 Elected Members have been given a number of updates relating to work of the Fairer Renfrewshire Panel. Since the last Fairer Renfrewshire Sub-Committee meeting, the panel have been involved in the development of the Fairer Renfrewshire Action Plan, scrutinising the draft plan and providing input to the final plan which was agreed at Leadership Board. 4.29 The Panel also met with the group who are working on actions from the most recent NHSGGC Health and Wellbeing survey. Led by the HSCP, and including Council officers and Engage Renfrewshire, this group has developed an action plan around priorities raised by the Fairer Renfrewshire Panel, with updates provided to the Panel at a meeting in early December. 4.30 The Panel also met with the Convenor and Depute of the Fairer Renfrewshire Sub-Committee in December to discuss the Fairer Renfrewshire Action Plan and other issues. 4.31 Looking forward, the Panel has a number of meetings arranged for the New Year, meeting officers regarding school meals in January, the Chief Officer of Renfrewshire HSCP and officers developing a Climate Adaption Plan in February and the Community Justice Lead Officer in March.
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8 PUBLIC Implications of the Report 1. Financial – There are no financial implications associated with this report. 2. HR & Organisational Development – none 3. Community/Council Planning – The Fairer Renfrewshire Programme is a key driver in achieving the ‘Fair’ strategic outcome and theme within the Council Plan, and covers a number of the key actions identified in the plan. It also represents a significant partnership programme of work which supports the ‘Fair’ theme within the Community Plan, with dedicated partnership governance being established to ensure alignment between these areas of work. 4. Legal - none 5. Property/Assets - none 6. Information Technology - none 7. Equality and Human Rights – Equality and human rights are a key pillar of this plan, and it is anticipated that the programme will likely advance equality of opportunity. 8. Health and Safety - none 9. Procurement – none 10. Risk – none 11. Privacy Impact – none 12. Climate risk – none 13. Children’s rights - the articles within UNCRC underpin the work that is being progressed in Renfrewshire through the Fairer Renfrewshire programme, particularly in relation to rights in relation to aspects such as life, survival and development, food, clothing and a safe home and supporting the best interests of the child and their families. Child poverty and family wellbeing are key local partnership priorities. 14. COSLA Policy Position – none Author: Laura McIntyre, Head of Policy and Partnerships
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9 PUBLIC Appendix 1: Winter Connections 25/26 Organisation Area Purpose Funding approved Howwood Community Council Howwood Winter Warmers £2,000 Houston Community Council Houston Houston Community Film Shows £1,571 Johnstone Castle Learning Centre Johnstone Youth sessions £2,000 KLAS Care CIC Linwood Whole Family Fun £1,417.80 Loud n Proud Paisley The Wednesday Club £2,000 Our Place Our Families Renfrew Soup for You £1,800 CREATE Paisley Paisley and Johnstone CREATE Winter Drop-ins £1,820 Local Energy Action Plan (LEAP) SCIO Lochwinnoch Cooking Classes £2,000 Erskine Arts Erskine Soup Sessions £2,000 Renfrew YMCA Renfrew Tuesday Soup Social £2,000 Foxbar Elderly Forum Paisley Foxbar Elderly Forum £2,000 Friends of Howwood Park Howwood The Tuesday Club £2,000 Paisley Methodist Church Paisley Saturday Get Together £2,000 St Vincents Hospice Howwood Winter Connection £1,880 The Thursday Club Paisley Thursday Club £2,000 Re:Hope Next Generation Bible Church Paisley Re: Play – Parent & Toddler Stay and Play £1,647 Dates-n-Mates Paisley Dates-n-Mates Renfrewshire £1,830
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10 PUBLIC The Tannahill Centre Paisley Soup and a Blether £1,750 Just Dive In Paisley Winter Warmers £1,850 Creation Corner Johnstone Christmas Crafts & Connections £235 Your Community Your Space Shortroods Winter Warm Hubs & Games Nights £2,000 Stronger Communities Glenburn Paisley Winter Food £2,000 Linwood Community Council Linwood Winter Connections £2,000 Home-Start Renfrewshire & Inverclyde Paisley Winter Warmth and Connection £1,750 Ralston Out of School Care Paisley Activity Club £1,100 STAR Project Paisley STAR Winter Connections £1,475.93 Rays of Hope Elderslie HOPE Project £1,830 Williamsburgh Housing Association Paisley Williamsburgh’s Auld Friends Network £1,750 Jones & Us Paisley Mum & Baby Fitness £1,900 Pastoral Committee Paisley West Church Paisley The Wee Blether £1,952.44 The Preshal Trust Paisley Preshal Paisley – Heat up and eat up £1,530 Youth Inspired Linwood YI Mums Group £1,950 Foxbar Community Gardens & Environmental Project Paisley Foxbar Winter Well-being Connections £2,000 Robertson Housing Social Activities Group Erskine Social Spark £2,000 Bridge of Weir Scout Group Bridge of Weir Bringing Bridge of Weir Community Together £2,000 Johnstone Burgh Community Club Johnstone Tuesday Food Night £2,000 Sewing2gether All Nations Paisley (Central) Craft and Conversation Club £1,852