Projects set for £127,000 investment from Renfrewshire’s Community Empowerment Fund

Communities across Renfrewshire have moved a step closer to acquiring assets in their local area as more than £127,000 was awarded from the Community Empowerment Fund.

The fund is designed to support the development of community organisations and build their capacity to undertake potential asset transfers, which can be a building or a piece of land.

Four applications to the fund were approved and include:

• £50,000 to Active Communities, and to approve in principle a further £50,000, to allow the group to purchase and renovate the old police station in Johnstone into a community hub.
• £10,000 to the New Tannahill Centre to assist with the second stage of a feasibility study into the proposed redevelopment of the Tannahill Centre.
• £6,500 to the Western Desert Recce Group to develop a business plan around the potential future use of the Whitehaugh Barracks.
• £3,800 to Renfrew Victoria Youth Football Club for architects’ plans outlining the refurbishment of the Kirklandneuk Pavilion with upgraded changing rooms.

An award of £6,760 to the Paisley Community Trust for a feasibility study into a High Street Cinema was approved, subject to the updated guidance for the fund being approved by the Leadership Board.

Councillor Marie McGurk, Convener of Renfrewshire Council’s Communities, Housing and Planning Policy Board, said: “No one knows what their town or village needs more than those who live there, and I’m delighted that we can provide the funding to help them bring these buildings into better use for the community.

“It’s great see the progress that the community groups are making into acquiring their local assets and I’m looking forward to seeing these buildings reaching their full potential.

“We’ll continue to support them throughout the process, as we will if you have an idea for a building or a piece of land in your area, so please get in touch with the team and make a difference to your neighbourhood today.”

The deadline for the next round of applications to the fund is Tuesday 5 November.

For more information, and how to apply, visit www.renfrewshire.gov.uk/communityempowermentfund.