2. FRSC Programme Update Mar 26 v0.2
Renfrewshire Council · 25 March 2026
Back to Fairer Renfrewshire Sub-committee — 25 March 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 OFFICIAL ___________________________________________________________________ To: Fairer Renfrewshire Sub-Committee On: 25 March 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 26th February 2026, members further reaffirmed their commitment to the Fairer Renfrewshire programme with continued investments in a number of targeted interventions including the £50 winter school clothing payment, the winter connections programme, funding to Renfrewshire Citizens Advice Bureau to support their welfare rights advocacy service and schools advice as well as an allocation of further funding to supplement both Discretionary Housing Payments and Scottish Welfare Fund. 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.
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2 OFFICIAL • Strengthening Health, Wellbeing and Community - 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 2026 are as follows: • Development of our advancement of equality of opportunity programme • Finalise the re-commissioning of external advice contract • Support the organisations taking part in 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 and 5 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 3.2 Work has been undertaken to evaluate the legacy Tackling Poverty projects which are part of the Fairer Renfrewshire programme and consider sustainability options, and summaries of key findings from these evaluations are provided within this report. 4. Fairer Renfrewshire Programme Update Strategic Priority One: Improving Financial Security 4.1. Further to discussion at Fairer Renfrewshire Sub-Committee in January, it was a suggested that further detail was brought to sub-committee with a focus on the provision of advice services
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3 OFFICIAL across Renfrewshire. As such, a separate paper has been prepared for Sub-Committee which provides further detail on actions detailed within the Fairer Renfrewshire Action Plan to improve access to income advice and support. Cost of the School Day evaluation 4.2. As part of the evaluation programme for Fairer Renfrewshire, an evaluation was carried out of the Cost of the School Day fund. Cost of the School Day aims to support schools to identify and address financial barriers faced by families, particularly those with low incomes, related to the costs associated with participating in school life. 4.3. The evaluation found that the cost-of-living crisis has increased the need for support for many of these families and this increase in need has changed how schools use their Cost of the School Day (COSD) funding. The funding has raised awareness within schools of the impact of financial pressures on families, with schools being able to respond flexibly to the unique needs of their pupils and their families. 4.4. Although the funding is limited, schools agree that it has been instrumental in reducing the barriers to participation in school activities with associated costs and has helped to minimise the risk of any child/young person being unintentionally discriminated against due to financial circumstances. Schools have been better able to support learners from low-income families, with 60% of schools reporting that educational attainment has been positively impacted. Strategic Priority Two: Strengthening Health, Wellbeing and Community Skoobmobile evaluation 4.5. As part of the evaluation programme for Fairer Renfrewshire, an evaluation was carried out of the Skoobmobile, which is partially funded through Fairer Renfrewshire. 4.6. The Skoobmobile plays an important role in providing a mobile public library service in areas where public libraries are not available or are less accessible. During 2024/25 the outreach service has carried out 476 visits engaging with 10,014 children and 2,378 adults. The service has also been instrumental in encouraging families to join Renfrewshire Libraries, with 91 new registrations and 2,591 books borrowed over the year. 4.7. The service provided a wide range of support through nursery and school visits, bedtime reading and Bookbug sessions, attendance at gala days and outreach provision in communities. The Skoobmobile staff also worked closely with the Whole Family Wellbeing Service to add value to their service. In Autumn, public Wi-Fi was installed onboard the Skoobmobile which is now a Digizone offering free Wi-Fi access throughout Renfrewshire. Staff are also working with Digital
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4 OFFICIAL Champions about offering support at outreach visits to promote the databank, digital assistance and onboard Wi-Fi. 4.8. The bus is also in great demand during the school holidays, giving families free access to activities without having to travel or make and keep reservations. It is an important part of the Council’s Summer of Fun programme, providing flexibility to deliver services in areas where there are no other activities being delivered. The service continues to deliver a programme promoting learning through play, books and digital activity which has literacy and a love of reading at its core. 4.9. It is further noted that at its budget meeting, Council committed £300,000 to fund the replacement and fit out of a replacement vehicle, recognising that the current model of service provision also requires modernisation into a sustainable, flexible outreach service. This work to consider the a longer term sustainable service delivery model was already identified within the Fairer Renfrewshire Action Plan, and officers will continue to work with OneRen colleagues to progress this. Hearty Lives evaluation 4.10. As part of the evaluation programme for Fairer Renfrewshire, an evaluation was carried out of the Peer Health Education project, Hearty Lives. This project is a collaboration between Renfrewshire’s High Schools and Active Communities to support young people in schools to become Peer Health Educators. A teacher at each school acts as a ‘project leader’ and is supported by Active Communities. Pupils are trained and supported to become Peer Health Educators and to lead activities in their schools which support healthy living, for example, mental health, healthy eating, drugs and alcohol, physical activity and sexual health. 4.11. The Hearty Lives programme has been found to increase focus in schools on supporting young people with mental health and other health related topics by providing engaging, fun activities led by peers and delivered in supportive, safe and inclusive spaces. 4.12. Evaluation found that peer educators have enjoyed being mentors to younger pupils and have increased confidence due to their training and delivery of workshops and lunchtime clubs. The programme has raised awareness of mental health issues and has improved understanding of the issues affecting young people in each school. Participation in the programme has equipped peer educators with skills that will be helpful for future volunteering and work experience, including organisation, communication and leadership skills. The programme has also led to pupils reflecting on their own mental health and, in some cases, benefiting from sharing these experiences with others.
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5 OFFICIAL Winter Connections 4.13. 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. 4.14. The Winter Connections programme continues to run until the end of March and on closing will be evaluated, with the evaluation report brought forward to the Sub-Committee for consideration. At Council’s budget meeting in February, there was a continued commitment for Winter Connections identified for 2026/27, and work will now be undertaken to develop and deliver this year’s 26/27 programme informed by the evaluation. Strategic priority three: Embedding Equality and Inclusion Digital champions evaluation 4.15. The aim of the Digital Champions network is to provide accessible support across Renfrewshire to residents who are digitally excluded and to increase confidence and skills in using digital devices so that residents remain connected. Funding supports a Digital Champions Coordinator to recruit and train a network of ‘Digital Champions’ who use what they have learned through a training programme to support others. 4.16. Digital Champions are based in four of Renfrewshire’s libraries (Johnstone, Paisley, Renfrew and Ferguslie Park) and deliver a two-hour weekly drop-in session as well as one-to-one sessions that teach basic skills in using a smart phone, tablet, laptop or computer. Learners can be signposted by library staff or staff in other organisations such as the Health and Social Care Partnership, the Job Centre and ROAR. 4.17. In 2024/25 there were a total of 36 trained Digital Champions volunteering across Renfrewshire. From figures between April 2024 and March 2025 there were 1,252.5 hours of support delivered by Digital Champion volunteers at 499 sessions. From April 2025 to September 2025 a further 560.5 volunteer hours were delivered over 332 sessions. Since April 2024, over 200 data sims have also been provided by Digital Champions to individuals from a low-income household to access data from the Databank. 4.18. The service has resulted in increased confidence and skills in using digital devices for those who attend drop-ins by creating accessible spaces for people to learn and volunteers who are friendly, approachable and non-judgemental. It has also provided volunteering experience that has, in some cases, resulted in employment opportunities for Digital Champions.
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6 OFFICIAL New Scots Needs Assessment 4.19. Officers have worked with partners over the past 12-18 months to form a Strategic Migration Group (SMG) to consider the impact of Renfrewshire’s changing population, and to commence the process of developing a New Scots action plan for Renfrewshire. 4.20. An initial data / needs assessment was carried out on behalf of the SMG in summer 2025, with the data presented to the SMG at a workshop in October 2025. The workshop was attended by members of the SMG, other senior Council officers, with partner representation from One Ren, RHSCP, Police Scotland, NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, Engage Renfrewshire and Pachedu. The workshop asked participants to consider information available on provision and support for New Scots. The SMG met in February to discuss the emerging issues from the feedback gathered during the session and develop the next steps of the needs assessment. 4.21. Officers will also continue to work proactively with partners and the wider community to identify opportunities to support Renfrewshire’s communities in relation to issues raised during the discussion, with various partnership discussions being scheduled to explore some of the opportunities and challenges being identified. Equalities Outcomes Consultation 4.22. 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. 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 presentation brought to the Sub-Committee. The Equalities Outcome Action Plan will be brought to the next Leadership Board for approval. Strategic Priority four: Using Insight and Evidence for Impact Child Poverty Accelerator Fund 4.23. In January, Renfrewshire Council was notified that it had been successful in a bid for funding from the Scottish Government’s Child Poverty Accelerator Fund. The funding will be used to create a locally governed 'Insight Partnership' that uses existing data to identify families showing early signs of child poverty risk. The partnership will connect these families quickly to the right support, including income maximisation, employability help, cost of living advice and family wellbeing services. 4.24. Given the focus in the Fairer Renfrewshire Action Plan on leveraging external funding opportunities, and the key role this project will play in the delivery of the plan’s cross cutting
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7 OFFICIAL themes, a separate presentation detailing this project is tabled for the Fairer Renfrewshire Sub- Committee this cycle. Lived Experience Panel 4.25. 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 met with the Council’s Sustainability Lead Officer with regards to developing a Climate Adaption Plan and Chief Officer of Renfrewshire HSCP. 4.26. The Panel will also meet with the Community Justice Lead Officer in early March and will meet Research Resource in late March as part of the residents’ research to discuss budget priorities and place and neighbourhood. 5. Next Steps 5.1. Work is underway to finalise the Fairer Renfrewshire programme for 2026/27, and this will be presented to Leadership Board in April for agreement. 5.2. The Fairer Renfrewshire Action Plan will also be updated to reflect the commitments made at the Council’s budget meeting in February 2026. 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
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8 OFFICIAL 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: Annabelle Walter, Connected Communities Manager