Item 4 Neighbourhood Board 5 September 2025 - Response from Service Leads on Interventions
West Dunbartonshire Council · 5 September 2025
Back to Clydebank Pride in Place Board — 5 September 2025 and its agenda
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Plan for Neighbourhoods Fund 1 Clydebank Neighbourhood Board Meeting 5 September 2025 Clydebank Housing Association Item 4: Plan for Neighbourhoods – Response from Service Leads on Pre-Approved Interventions FOR INFORMATION ONLY X FOR DECISION Name of Committee Board Date of report 05/09/2025 Name and email of lead contact Elaine Troup Elaine.Troup@west-dunbarton.gov.uk 1 Main Issues Contact has been made with service leads responsible for each of the categories of new pre-approved intervention which will be subject to the community engagement. The purpose is to discover which interventions are already happening within Clydebank and where gaps in provision may exist. It should be noted that some of the interventions noted in the UK government guidance may not be relevant to Clydebank. The responses for each of the categories are outlined as follows: Housing – John Kerr, Housing Manager Most of the interventions in the Housing category are already happening in Clydebank, delivered in the main through the Local Housing Strategy and Strategic Housing Investment Plan but also supported by other investment plans by the Council and Registered Social Landlords. Provide safe and supportive environments for people with experience of homelessness and rough sleeping – Already happening Example interventions include: supporting community-based faith and voluntary sector homelessness services to improve accommodation infrastructure and support services enabling community-based services to work with those in the community (including those in temporary accommodation) to prevent a return to rough sleeping (for example, by establishing befriending and mentoring schemes) supporting larger commissioned homelessness and rough sleeping charities that alleviate wider statutory duties Modernisation of social housing – Already happening An example intervention includes:
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Plan for Neighbourhoods Fund 2 capital funding can be used to insulate walls, install underfloor insulation, install loft insulation, install double glazing units, and replace gas boilers with low carbon heating systems such as heat pumps Support wider neighbourhood renewal by improving the attractiveness and liveability of homes and their surroundings – Already happening Example interventions include: running community engagement and consultation processes for estate regeneration or other neighbourhood renewal projects supporting with neighbourhood public realm improvements, such as improving and securing domestic private and communal gardens, upgrading play areas, and hiring design or project consultancy Provide healthy and climate-resilient homes support locally – Already happening Example interventions include: establishing a ‘healthy housing’ advice hub space, in the same vein as the Good Homes Agency Model and Derby City Healthy Housing Hub mitigating the effects of extreme heat on homes – for example, by purchasing external window shutters, ceiling fans, and UV light film for glass for local homes using funding capacity for domestic water-saving measures – for example, installing a water-saving device in a toilet cistern, or installing a water-butt for plants developing and supplying emergency flood preparedness kits to local homes – see examples of this from the National Flood Forum, Scottish Flood Forum and the Environment Agency fitting property flood resilience measures in homes at risk of flooding Establish land trusts for the purpose of creating community-led housing to meet local needs – this is not happening in West Dunbartonshire. It has never been identified as a priority action area within the Local Housing Strategy and the role of the community-based housing associations which operate in the Clydebank is also significant enough, which would negate the need for any such intervention at this time. Example interventions include: incorporating a community land trust (CLT), for example to help with filing with the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) and to attend, run and seek out workshops to clarify aims, seek legal advice, and all other key priorities using funding to help with building CLT membership, leadership, skills, and technical advice throughout a project hiring a manager for the CLT project-specific costs at the pre-development stage such as the costs of project management and community consultations, and costs associated with bringing forward planning applications, including the use of surveyors and architects hiring bid writers for grants to build properties, acquire land, and buy-up properties for renovation
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Plan for Neighbourhoods Fund 3 Support local community initiatives that support people in bringing down their home energy bills and improve the energy efficiency of their homes – Already happening Example interventions include: running community energy groups to help local residents, for example, people could bring their gas and electricity bills and discuss ways to save and keep warm with volunteers, receive energy debt advice, and be given referrals to a heat doctor running in-person retrofitting advice sessions in community spaces to improve engagement with retrofitting - funding can be allocated to hire a Publicly Available Specification (PAS) or Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS)-accredited consultant to train volunteers in retrofitting advice Work, productivity and skills - Stephen Brooks, Working 4u Manager & Gillian Scholes, Business Support Manager Working4U uses UKSPF and No One Left Behind funding to deliver some of the interventions in the Work, Productivity & Skills category. However, these funding steams are being reduced, and future provision cannot be guaranteed. Business Support provides Grant and loan support to local businesses to assist them to start-up and grow. Business Gateway provides advice and support for people thinking about setting up a business or growing an existing business. Support to improve awareness of, and access to, local provision that moves people closer to and into sustained employment – currently happens but some elements at risk due to funding cuts Example interventions include: additional support to help economically inactive people into work Not in Education, Employment, or Training (NEET) prevention and reduction activity in advance of full implementation of the Youth Guarantee in England and the Young Person’s Guarantee in Scotland, Work Experience programme in Northern Ireland and Wales Young Person’s Guarantee local interventions to improve the retention of disabled people and people with health conditions within the workplace Enabling community wealth building - currently happens. Might be scope to consider loans for businesses through credit union as registered FSC. Example interventions include: creating a regional mutual or community bank – for example, banking services aimed at supporting community development, small businesses, the local social economy, or helping low earners acquire mortgages supporting local employment schemes offering business rate relief for those businesses that become Living Wage Accredited, using local authority discretionary rate relief powers to fund a fixed pot to deliver a local scheme (see example scheme by Hounslow)
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Plan for Neighbourhoods Fund 4 Developing and expanding existing local business support and networks for smaller businesses and social enterprises - currently happens. There could be the potential to create a local growth/incubator hub within Titan Enterprise Centre, subject to demand. This was previously investigated prior to Covid. Example interventions include: working with the local Growth Hub in England, Business Wales, Scottish Enterprise or Enterprise NI, and partners such as Chambers of Commerce and Business and Intellectual Property Centres on developing or leveraging existing relevant local business advice, support and networks strengthening provision for the local growth hub to support businesses at all stages of their development to start, sustain, grow and innovate supporting the existing regional delivery of Made Smarter Adoption in England bidding for and host international business events and conferences, with agreement of the Department of Business and Trade, that support wider regional growth sectors – this could include conferences for leading sectors locally supporting the establishment and ongoing running of an open-air market improvements to town centre retail and service sector infrastructure, with wrap around support for small businesses, utilising existing support channels where possible business support activity for local entrepreneurs Skills provision tailored to local opportunities and skills gaps - currently happens but some elements are at risk due to funding cuts. Greens skills support offered but little demand. Example interventions include: equipment and facilities for a specific programme or training course run by a skills provider or college linked to a local employer in need of skilled workers green skills courses, including retraining for those in high carbon sectors Funding to support the development, improvement, and promotion of the visitor economy, such as local attractions, historical trails, cultural tours, campaigns and other related tourism products - currently happens and depending on the outcome of the visitor levy more funding could become available for this Council wide. Example interventions, working with the relevant Local Visitor Economy Partnership or equivalent where possible, include: grants for the development, promotion, and upkeep of local tourist attractions developing other visitor experiences centred around the local offering (for example, cultural or historical offerings) campaigns highlighting the local area and its culture, heritage, leisure, and visitor attractions, aimed at both residents and visitors initiatives to encourage visitors from further afield to visit and stay for longer periods in the region (such as overnight), collaborating with other places where appropriate
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Plan for Neighbourhoods Fund 5 Cohesion – Colin Smith, Your Community Team Leader Measures to improve community cohesion – many activities to improve community cohesion currently happen within Clydebank. These include: - the development of Locality Plans, a responsibility of Community Planning WD. Clydebank Waterfront Locality Plan was published in 2024. The community identified the priorities published within this. Empowered DIG- This also has the function of being the Community Development Alliance for WD. It is chaired by the third sector interface and has members from third sector, community and CPWD partners. The group’s actions centre around mapping community development activity, identifying gaps and recording impact. Several groups/organisations exist to support and involve the local community: - o WD Refugee Resettlement Team o Moments of Freedom- Supporting Refugee Women in the Clydebank area. The group host regular community events to celebrate their achievements and to share their work with the community o Golden Friendships- Disability support organisation based in Dalmuir. Hosts events and offers services to the whole community with a focus on integration and inclusion. Have also offered space to Ukrainian refugees to improve their English language. o West Dunbartonshire Community Transport- (Communities Team with third sector organisation) offers heath appointment transport to people who cannot attend appointments without assistance. Predominately operates in the Clydebank area but has reached capacity and needs further investment to meet increasing demand. o Awestruck Academy- Intergenerational community organisation offering music, arts, social and mentoring support to people in Clydebank. Limited in who they can offer support to due to having inaccessible premises. o Ysortit West Dunbartonshire- Youth organisation operating across WD. o Improving Lives- Disability support and advice service based in Dalmuir. o The Recycling Room- community recycling project offering clothing and equipment to local people in need. Also offer repairs, advice and washing facilities. o The Men’s Shed Clydebank- volunteer-led group offering social support and skills development to men across Clydebank- based in Dalmuir o There 3 active community councils within the area- Clydebank East, Parkhall, North Kilbowie and Central and Linnvale and Drumry. Capacity Building offered by the Communities Team to new, emerging and existing groups in communities across Clydebank. Limited only by the capacity of the staff team.
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Plan for Neighbourhoods Fund 6 Community Empowerment engagement and awareness raising. The CT offer community surgeries in libraries and community facilities in Clydebank to engage, signpost and support community to take advantage of Community Empowerment. Example interventions include: co-creating cohesion action plans by local authorities, agencies and partners, including the voluntary and community sector, businesses and communities, which diagnose local cohesion challenges and ensure tangible, measurable actions are put in place to address them projects that bring people together from different groups, including different faiths, for various objectives, including social mixing, intercommunity conversations, volunteering, and conflict resolution projects which celebrate and explore different cultures and lives, such as neighbourhood festivals and cultural exchange opportunities projects which build relationships within and between communities, such as mentoring and buddying schemes, town-hall discussions on local issues, and other means of creating productive dialogue projects which build capacity, capability and awareness in communities, such as English for speakers of other languages (ESOL) provision, hate crime awareness, tackling local misinformation and disinformation which impacts local cohesion, public education and communication campaigns, community ambassadors, and preparing communities to accept and support new arrivals and resettled cohorts Funding for impactful volunteering and social action projects to develop social and human capital in local place Example interventions include: supporting local volunteering groups, such as youth charities and carer’s groups supporting people, including young people, to develop volunteering and social action projects locally Investment in capacity building and infrastructure support for local civil society, youth and community groups – aspects already happening in Clydebank through: - Community Soup- community project which allows communities to raise small pockets of funding to support community activity within their area. The Communities Team produces a toolkit to allow local people to host their own Community Soup. Community gardens in Drumry, Dalmuir and in Melfort Park. Community newsletter- monthly newsletter sent to 300+ community organisations including community news, volunteering opportunities and funding news. (Communities Team). Example interventions include:
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Plan for Neighbourhoods Fund 7 renovating and developing existing or new community spaces, such as village halls, libraries (including libraries of things), youth facilities or community centres for local civil society and community groups to use community-based small grants and loans schemes developing community forums, youth engagements, governance structures, volunteering and social action projects and communication channels Health and wellbeing - Bob Purdon (NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde) Many of the interventions listed under Health & Wellbeing are currently delivered in Clydebank through a mixed model involving NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, West Dunbartonshire Council and HSCP, and a range of independent and third sector partners. The interventions are aligned with the Scottish Government’s Population Health Framework. Current health profiles have highlighted a high burden of long-term conditions among Clydebank residents, including multi-morbidity, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and mental health challenges. By embedding health-promoting features into the built environment, there is the potential to support residents to live independently, stay active, and engage with local services more effectively. Potential gaps in provision include: Healthy eating and community-level fruit and veg prescribing, which is not yet widely available. Integration and co-location of health and wellbeing services: while the WDC Health Promoting Library Project is active in Clydebank, capacity across sectors to deliver similar initiatives is limited. Funding for local activities: the current financial climate has constrained community-led health and wellbeing programmes, and additional funding would help fill gaps in local provision. Preventative public health initiatives: there is scope to introduce community- based health screening models similar to the CHSS Health Defence programme. At present screening uptake is low. Drug and alcohol support for people experiencing homelessness: we have a local pathway to support this high-risk group. Limited access to lifestyle support Integrating these interventions into the physical and social infrastructure of Clydebank, could create a more resilient, healthier community that aligns with both local priorities and national policy. In communities facing similar health inequalities to Clydebank, a range of targeted interventions have been successfully implemented to improve population wellbeing. These include potentially: Deploying community health coaches to support individuals in making sustainable lifestyle changes, such as improving diet, increasing physical activity, and reducing alcohol and tobacco use. Peer-led recovery networks have helped build trust and resilience among those affected by substance misuse,
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Plan for Neighbourhoods Fund 8 While active living campaigns, such as walking groups and outdoor fitness classes, have promoted physical activity in public spaces. Community-based cooking and nutrition programmes have improved access to healthy food and support behaviour change, particularly in areas with limited affordability or availability. Additionally, behavioural nudges campaigns which act as reminders and visual prompts in GP practices have been used to increase uptake of screening programmes and early detection services. These interventions offer practical, scalable models that could be adapted to Clydebank’s context. Supporting community-level health provision Example interventions include: community mental health hubs social prescribing provision measures to encourage healthy eating such as community-level fruit and vegetable prescription schemes pilot programmes aimed at improving local health outcomes signposting to free NHS digital support tools, for example, NHS Better Health apps and websites Integration and co-location of health and wellbeing services Example interventions include: bringing together different health and wellbeing services under one roof in an accessible high street location – where appropriate, this could be as part of a wider community hub which houses a range of community services and activities under one building, creating a place for people to mix with others turning disused or under-used high street buildings into health and wellbeing hubs utilising retail spaces for healthcare initiatives, such as clinical, community, diagnostic, and mental health and wellbeing services so that towns benefit from improved accessibility, reduced carbon footprint, and economic revitalisation – some example services are: o domestic abuse o homelessness o substance abuse o early years and ageing well services o mental health, mindfulness and suicide prevention plus young person mental and health resilience training o smoking cessation o exercise classes and support sessions o healthy eating and nutrition classes Funding for local sport and activity facilities, events, teams and leagues, to foster community engagement and connection
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Plan for Neighbourhoods Fund 9 Example interventions include: refurbishing and maintaining existing sports facilities funding for community sports leagues redeveloping an unused area to build sports facilities developing new 3G sports pitches and other sports facilities Funding to support preventative public health initiatives and campaigns Example interventions include: funding for support groups or specialist advice services on public health issues, such as stop smoking services encouraging the use of free campaign materials from NHS Better Health, available from the Department of Health and Social Care’s Campaign Resource Centre (these cover healthy pregnancy, early years, family nutrition and physical activity, and a range of adult health behaviours including smoking and mental health) Provide drug and alcohol support for people with experience of homelessness and rough sleeping Example interventions include: setting up or supporting a Lived Experience Recovery Organisation (LERO) – this could involve working with existing LEROs and collaboration with existing community organisations and venues such as community centres, churches, and libraries establishing therapeutic and community-connection activities using shared community spaces, for example community gardens and art therapy groups A LERO is an independent organisation led by people with lived experience of drug and alcohol recovery. LEROs deliver a range of harm reduction interventions, peer support and recovery support, and help people to access and engage in treatment and other support services. Education and opportunity – Andrew Brown and Murray Hanvey Many of the interventions under this category align with existing provision through current Education Service delivery and wider cross-agency collaboration. Notes are provided where there are gaps in provision and how these could potentially be supported. School-based programmes to support young people’s development Example interventions include: targeted early help support initiatives to support children and young people with emerging mental health and wellbeing needs - Education currently work in close partnership with WDC Psychological Services team and Health Board colleagues to provide mental health interventions through whole- school approaches and targeted supports. All secondary schools now have access to School Counselling Services and refer to Distress Brief Intervention and Erskine Crisis Counselling and staged intervention is used in line with
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Plan for Neighbourhoods Fund 10 GIRFEC principles. While provision is in place, additional investment could strengthen early help, particularly for pupils in transition or those with complex needs. facilitating access to arts, music, sports and other enrichment activities - A range of school-based programmes already support this, including, Active Schools and sport and wellbeing programmes. However, uptake can be uneven depending on transport, family income, or awareness. Community feedback could help identify persistent barriers and any areas of under- provision. Support to both reduce levels of child poverty and to prevent the negative impacts of child poverty on children and families Example interventions include: supporting families in poverty to increase income and become financially resilient, for example by improving access to welfare and debt advice, including awareness and uptake of social security benefits - This sits primarily within the remit of Working4U. Schools can and do signpost families to these supports. cost of living support for disadvantaged families to mitigate the impacts of child poverty, for example, support for travel cost and fuel - Schools distribute discretionary clothing grants, free school meal entitlements, and wider supports through Scottish Government funding streams (e.g., PEF). However, support for travel and fuel costs is not routinely provided and maybe an area for exploration depending on community priorities. ensuring access to good quality healthy food, for example through use of food vouchers during school holidays and nutritional support programmes - Universal free school meals (P1–P5) are already in place. During school holidays, Working4U leads on holiday hunger programmes such as “Fun, Food & Futures,” which combines meals with structured activities. funding for children and families in poverty to overcome barriers to digital inclusion, for example access to the internet and or device support (funding can be used to extend existing initiatives) - During the COVID-19 period, all identified pupils without digital access were supported with devices and connectivity. However, this was time-limited, and not all devices are still functioning or current. A refreshed local offer could help address digital exclusion more sustainably. creation of community-led responses to child poverty which are accessible and destigmatising, for example community shops with access to discounted food, school uniforms and other equipment, community kitchens and guidance services - This sits more appropriately within the remit of Community Planning, Working4U, or local third sector organisations. Education Services can support by signposting and facilitating pupil/family access but are not currently resourced to lead this work. Support for families and young children
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Plan for Neighbourhoods Fund 11 Example interventions include: bolstering national breakfast club provision locally - Primary schools in Clydebank provide breakfast clubs with targeted uptake encouraged. Provision is consistent and well-utilised, though expansion could be explored to support uptake in secondary settings. bolstering early years education and childcare provision, including through supporting new or expanded school-based nurseries - Clydebank benefits from the 1140-hour entitlement for 3–5-year-olds and eligible 2-year-olds. Local capacity is generally good, though targeted investment in specific nurseries or wraparound models could be explored through Early Years or Strategic Asset Management. additional support for family hubs and family help services including building or upgrading facilities, and expanding service provision - HSCP, Family Nurse Partnership, or Children’s Services Planning may be best placed to comment on any potential infrastructure or delivery gaps. Funding to help families with the cost of childcare where it may alleviate cost of living pressures, or support employment An example intervention includes: including piloting models of community-delivered childcare, for example, exploring cooperative and collective provision by parents in line with the French Crèche parentales where parents would support 1 to 2 days a week in exchange for free childcare – If there is appetite or capacity locally, this could perhaps be explored through Community Planning or Working4U. Support for growing the local social economy, including community businesses, cooperatives and social enterprises Example interventions include: funding to help establish or develop a local co-operative organisation training for local business support providers (such as Growth Hubs in England) and other sector facilitators to help them promote, inform and deliver co-operative business solutions Support for community-based learning and development Example interventions include: training and support programmes for local civil society and community group leaders to build the capacity of communities to meet their own needs, and to engage with and influence decision makers - Training and leadership development for community groups is a current strand of CLD provision, though additional capacity or resourcing could enhance reach. community-based adult learning programmes, including to develop confidence and life skills (including cooking and household repair), and to improve essential skills in maths, English (including English for speakers of other languages) and digital - Working4U deliver adult learning in literacy,
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Plan for Neighbourhoods Fund 12 numeracy, ESOL and life skills (e.g., cooking). These are targeted based on need and geographic demand. youth work, family learning and other early intervention work with children, young people and families - the Youth Learning Team delivers youth work and family learning in targeted areas, including Clydebank, and is undergoing a restructure to enhance alignment with schools and local priorities. 2 Outline of any issues/risks and how these are being managed Some of the existing initiatives which take place under some of the categories are at risk of losing existing funding. If they are identified through the community engagement as being a priority for the people of Clydebank then the Board could potentially explore whether they are relevant to support through the PfN programme. Note however that many of the initiatives require revenue rather than capital funding. 3 Outline of the main outputs expected before next meeting When the results of the community engagement have been analysed the Board may wish to consider whether gaps in provision can be met through PfN and included within the Regeneration Plan. 4 What are the requirements of stakeholders to achieve the outcomes of this report? To consider the outcomes of the community engagement in respect of the pre- approved interventions and determine what should be included within the Regeneration Plan. 5 Recommendations It is recommended that the Board note the contents of this report.