Communities invited to have their voice heard as new Local Partnerships get set to launch

A fresh approach to local decision making is bringing communities to the fore as Renfrewshire gets set to launch its new Local Partnerships.

Replacing the previous Local Area Committees (LACs), the new partnerships will adopt a more informal and inclusive approach to allow local people more of a say in the decisions which affect their area.

A series of introductory events will take place throughout October which will outline exactly what the new partnerships are, how they will work and how local people can get involved.

The meetings will take place on:

• Wednesday 24 October: Cargill Hall, Bridge of Weir, 10am – 12pm
• Thursday 25 October: Renfrew Town Hall, 10am-12pm
• Monday 29 October: EMMS Studio, Erskine, 6.30pm – 8.30pm
• Thursday 1 November: McKillop Institute, Lochwinnoch, 6.30pm -8.30pm
• Monday 5 November: Tannahill Centre, Paisley, 10am-12pm
• Tuesday 6 November: Paisley Town Hall, 6.30pm – 8.30pm
• Wednesday 7 November: Johnstone Town Hall, 10am-12pm
• Friday 9 November: Glenburn Community Centre, 10am – 12noon

Community members of all ages are invited to come along and join the new partnerships, with no previous experience of similar groups needed.

The partnerships will see membership split evenly between elected members and community representatives as part of a drive to ensure community voices are heard on local issues.

David Fowles, Lochwinnoch Community Council, said: “We were happy to be involved in the development of the new Local Partnerships and I’m looking forward to seeing the new direction of the meetings.

“It’s extremely important that local people are involved in decision making at a local level and these new partnerships should open up some exciting opportunities for our communities.”

The partnerships have changed their name to reflect the change in function and remit, from a formal, council-led committee to an inclusive approach which aims to have all members working together to make decisions.

Previously communities fell under five LACs, however the new partnerships will mirror the Community Council boundaries and move to a total of seven Local Partnerships.

The partnerships will also help identify and shortlist projects for the Youth Challenge Fund, with the final decision on these awards being made by the young people themselves.

Renfrewshire Council Leader Iain Nicolson, said: “These new partnerships are the perfect opportunity for local people to become more involved in the decision making at the heart of their communities.

“Responsibility for awarding grant funding or focusing the direction of the group will now be an equal process between elected members and local community members.

“So it’s more important than ever that you take this opportunity to get involved in your local community.

“No matter what age or what experience you have, please come along to the events to learn more and join the new partnerships as they get set to hold their first full meetings in November.”

The initial introductory events will take place throughout October to outline the first steps of the new process to interested community members.

The first full meetings of the new partnerships are set to begin in Renfrew on 13 November, with the other six partnerships following shortly after.

For more information on the Local Partnerships and a full set of meeting dates, visit www.renfrewshire.gov.uk/localpartnerships.