Elderslie

New life is set to be breathed into an underused play park in Elderslie following a £50,000 award from the Green Spaces, Parks and Play Areas and Villages Investment Fund.

Elderslie Community Council submitted their application to reinvigorate Queens Road Play Park after extensive consultation in the local area showed a desire for new equipment for young people and families to use locally.

New dynamic, inclusive and exciting equipment will be installed in the park, with local children having their say on what they’d like to see as part of the newly-refurbished park.

Anne-Marie Balfour, Elderslie Community Council, said: “We were looking at what people wanted for the village and after a survey revealed that a large majority wanted a play park, it became clear that this was a project we should take on.

“Having no decent park in the village means there are children growing up here without opportunities to play and socially interact with each other outside of school, so we have made a conscious effort to make the park inclusive so that children of any ability can come and play with their friends and enjoy the park once it is built.

“Residents have engaged with us and attended fundraising efforts which have resulted in over £10,000 being raised so far.

“Elderslie Community Council has worked hard to make a difference in the village, installing planters and procuring Christmas Lights and we see Queens Road Park as the next milestone in our journey.”

The group hope to entice local families to use the park and plan to host community events in the area including an Easter egg hunt and Halloween activities.

The Community Council are also active members of Renfrewshire’s Team Up to Clean Up campaign and regularly clear unwanted vegetation and litter pick the area, something they pledged to continue as part of their application.

Councillor Marie McGurk, Convener of Renfrewshire Council’s Communities, Housing and Planning Policy Board, said: “I’m delighted to see that this park will be brought to life with fantastic new play equipment for young people and families in Elderslie to enjoy.

“So much work and commitment has gone into making this idea a reality and it’s great that the fund has been able to reward the efforts of the group and this will make such a difference for local people in the area.

“If you’ve got a similar idea, please get in touch with the team and we’ll support you to make your application.”

The £1.87million fund aims to regenerate and make physical and environmental improvements to areas across Renfrewshire identified by the local community.

Awards from the fund will assist in bringing in external funding, increase community participation in local areas and encourage the process of transferring assets to local communities.

Each application must show it has consulted the local community to ensure there is a need and desire for the project and that it would improve community life.

£370,000 has been ringfenced from the overall £1.87million fund specifically for investment in Renfrewshire’s villages, through the Villages Investment Fund, and applications for this must show that they will strengthen the unique identity, heritage and character of village life.

For more information and to find out how to apply, visit www.renfrewshire.gov.uk/greenspacesfund.

26/08/2019/by Brian McGuire

Renfrewshire is set to sparkle as hundreds of volunteers show their support for the latest event in the Team Up to Clean Up campaign.

Every town and village in Renfrewshire has been challenged to make it a Spotless September by hosting a clean-up in their area, whether that’s through a lone litter pick or every class in a school taking part.

Litter pickers, bibs, bags will be provided by the council to allow volunteers to take part in their clean up, with the collected rubbish also being cleared away by the council’s StreetScene team afterwards.

Lyle Brown, Principal Teacher at Lochfield Primary, said: “The Spotless September initiative has been fantastic at getting the children more involved within their own community and helps to foster care and respect for their local area.

“The children loved taking part last year and are always astounded by the volume of litter collected during the campaign. It helps them recognise the impact that litter can have on their local and wider community and as teachers, we can use this as a catalyst for further learning around the topic of living in a more sustainable and eco-friendly way.

“We are all excited to be taking part again this year and doing our bit for our community.”

The campaign has proved a success with the local community and saw a 474% rise in community clean ups in its first full year, with more than 7000 volunteers having taken part in the campaign so far.

The Big Spring Clean in April saw more than 1750 volunteers take part in 103 events across the area, with more than 1850 bags of rubbish cleared from the streets.

Councillor Cathy McEwan, Convener of Renfrewshire Council’s Infrastructure, Land and Environment Policy Board, said: “I can’t wait to don my bib to take part in events throughout September and I hope that everyone can join me and the hundreds of other volunteers in making a difference to Renfrewshire.

“We continue to see so many enthusiastic people making our area cleaner and brighter and Spotless September is a chance to bring more people into the campaign.

“It would be fantastic if every community in Renfrewshire could host a litter pick. We were close to seeing this happen in April’s Big Spring Clean so fingers crossed that we see this happen in September!”

The Team Up to Clean Up campaign forms part of a five-year, £2.5million investment across five years to make a real difference to the cleanliness of the streets in Renfrewshire and improve the local environment.

As well as the support from local communities, an enhanced programme of operational activity is underway to clean gullies, sweep the roads and repair the roads infrastructure to ensure the campaign is a joint approach between the council and its residents.

If you’re keen to take part in the Spotless September Challenge, call 0300 300 1375, email wardens.es@renfrewshire.gov.uk or visit www.renfrewshire.gov.uk/SpotlessSeptember.

26/08/2019/by Brian McGuire

Renfrewshire’s new recycling system has seen a reduction of almost 2000 tonnes of household waste sent to landfill than the same period last year.

From January to July 2019, 15,187.75 tonnes were disposed of compared to 17,163.44 in 2018 – a reduction of 11.5%.

This coincided with a 42.6% increase in the amount of food and garden waste recycled and almost 7000 tonnes of blue and green bin recycling was diverted from landfill during this period.

This has enabled the council to post its highest ever recycling rate of 52.3% in the year to date.

Councillor Cathy McEwan, Convener of Renfrewshire Council’s Infrastructure, Land and Environment Policy Board, said: “We thank everyone for their efforts in using the new recycling system and we hope to see even more success in the future in raising our recycling rate and reducing the amount of waste that goes to landfill.

“It’s extremely important that we consider our environment and by taking the time to recycle you really are making a difference.

“We’ll support you however we can to recycle more, and more efficiently, so please get in touch or visit our website for more information on what should and should not go into your bins.”

The new collection service was introduced to more than 90,000 households in November 2018, with homes given an additional recycling bin for plastics, cans and glass, and the service will be rolled out to areas of Erskine which required a more tailored approach later this month.

Councillor McEwan added: “With a change of this size affecting almost every home in Renfrewshire, it was clear that there would be teething problems but we’ve worked tirelessly with residents to resolve any issues and the new service has now bedded in.

“We appreciate that changes such as this take time to become normality, but we will continue to be available for residents to answer any queries and ensure we are providing them with the best possible bin collection service.”

The new service was supported by a campaign to reduce the amount of rubbish sent to landfill by encouraging residents to recycle and think about what they are placing in their general waste bin.

Information was sent directly to every home outlining the new collection system and a new section of the council website was created to support this and explain how it will affect residents and ensure they know what should and should not go into each bin.

In addition, residents can now go online to check their next four collections, download a calendar into their smartphone and sign up for email reminders which arrive the day before the next bin is due out.

Waste advisers are also available to discuss any issues that residents have and can be contacted via mybins@renfrewshire.gov.uk.

For more information, visit www.renfrewshire.gov.uk/mybins.

23/08/2019/by Brian McGuire

The Hollywood star of the Highlander movies, actor Christopher Lambert on Saturday revealed he feels like an adopted Scot.

Lambert was at the Glasgow Film and Comic Con event held at intu Brahead where he met fans, posed for photographs and signed autographs.

He said: “After appearing in Highlander with Sean Connery I feel like an adopted Scot. I just love coming to Scotland and it’s great to be back.

“When we were on set, Sean would talk about Scotland all the time and he even taught me how to speak like a real Scot.”

The Film and Comic Con event at intu Braehead attracted thousands of people from all over the country.

And there were even a few visitors from a galaxy far, far away!

Shoppers must have thought they had walked through the doors of the popular shopping centre straight on to the set of a sci-fi movie.

They were met with the sight of characters from all kinds of films, TV shows and comics having a look round the shops.

More than 5000 visitors are expected to turn out for the Film and Comic Con Glasgow event being held in The Arena at intu Braehead, over the weekend.

Comic Con, INTU Breahead, Glasgow Scotland

Many fans were dressed in the costumes of their favourite sci-fi characters and they certainly caught the attention of shoppers in and around the malls.

They also flocked to hundreds of stalls set up in The Arena to snap up movie memorabilia and sought-after rare comics.

The event continues today (Sunday) and marketing manager for intu Braehead, David Lyon said: “We welcome everyone to intu Braehead – even Darth Vader and his Stormtroopers.

“We look forward to the Film and Comic Con event coming to intu Braehead every year, as it makes for a fantastic spectacle with the fans dressed in amazing costumes.

“You just never know who you’re going to bump into when you’re out in the malls.”

19/08/2019/by Brian McGuire

THE streets of Paisley were filled with thousands of runners (Sunday August 18) competing in the town’s annual 10k Road Race and Fun Run.

A total of 3431 runners took part in the two events, organised by Renfrewshire Leisure.
From serious athletes to fun runners in fancy dress, they pounded the streets around the town.

Both the Paisley 10k and Fun Run were sponsored by sports and outdoors retailer, Decathlon and this year’s official charity partner was the Armed Forces veterans’ charity, Erskine.

There were 1983 people running in the 10k Race and 1448 in the Fun Run.

Many of the fun runners were also sponsored to raise much-needed funds for local charities, clubs and good causes with several entire football teams of youngsters taking part.

This year’s Paisley 10k race had more than £2000 in prize money up for grabs and trophies were presented to boys and girls fun run winners, aged seven and under, eight to 12 years old and 12 to 15 year olds.

The Paisley 10k Race men’s winner was Sean Fontana, from Inverclyde AC with a time of 31 minutes 40 seconds. Second place in the men’s race went to John Bell, from Invercyde AC, with a time of 31 minutes 46 seconds and third was Alasdair McLeod, from Shettleston Harriers with a time of 32 minutes 19 seconds.

The women’s 10k Race winner was Morag Millar, from Central AC with a time of 35 minutes 26 seconds. Second was Gemma Rankin, from Kilbarchan AAC with a time of 35 minutes 47 seconds and third was Lorna Young, from Leeds City AC with a time of 35 minutes 54 seconds.

Chairperson of Renfrewshire Leisure, Councillor Lisa-Marie Hughes said: “Once again the Paisley 10k has attracted a high calibre of athlete along with hundreds of other runners who have been training hard for months.

“And it was great to see so many fun runners of all ages pounding the streets of Paisley with lots of money being raised for various charities and good causes.

“The event is a great day for everyone involved, especially the families who take part in the races, or come along to support the runners.”

18/08/2019/by Brian McGuire

Proposals to build four new Early Learning and Childcare Centres and carry out major extensions at three existing centres have been announced by Renfrewshire Council.

The council has submitted planning applications for new centres in Dargavel, Houston, Lochfield in Paisley and Kirklandneuk in Renfrew.

Plans to carry out major extensions at St Margaret’s Early Learning and Childcare Centre in Johnstone and Kilbarchan Community Nursery have also been submitted, alongside proposals to create a bespoke centre for Inchinnan Community Nursery at Inchinnan Primary.

The projects are part of a £14million extension and refurbishment programme to support the expansion of nursery provision in Renfrewshire. It will also help the council meet the Scottish Government’s target of 1140 fully-funded hours of early learning and childcare for all three and four-year-olds and eligible two-year-olds by August 2020.

In 2019, Renfrewshire became the first local authority in Scotland to be rated ‘excellent’ by Education Scotland for its efforts to close the poverty-related attainment gap. The expansion to early learning and childcare is expected to support much of that work.

If the planning applications are approved, work on the new-build centres will begin in January 2020, and the major extensions in March 2020.

Renfrewshire Council Depute Leader and Convener of Education and Children’s Services, Jim Paterson, said: “These new centres and major extensions will ensure we are able to continue providing young children with the best possible start in life once the new expanded 1140 hours are introduced in August 2020.

“We are committed to providing the best learning environments for young children and are driven to maintain quality across all early learning and childcare centres and classes. The work we are proposing will support this, creating bespoke centres and facilities that will help young children in Renfrewshire thrive for years to come.”

The council launched a recruitment drive to support its 1140 Early Learning and Childcare expansion plans in April 2019, with a range of posts set to be advertised before the new expanded hours are introduced in August 2020.

Parents of three and four-year-olds and some eligible two-year-olds will see the number of free early learning and childcare hours they receive increase from 600 to 1140 in August 2020. Ahead of that deadline, eligible children will be offered 1140 ELC where there is space to do so. Parents wishing more information should speak to their local nursery.

The expansion will give parents more flexibility in their choice of nursery and childcare services, meaning they can choose from council, private and volunteer-run nursery classes, centres and childminding. They will also have plenty of choice when accessing their child’s entitlement, including options for 8am-6pm over 50 weeks, mornings or afternoons over 45 weeks, or 6 hours per day over the school year, as well as being able to select their preferred options of nursery or childminding sessions.

There will also be an increase in the number of places commissioned from funded independent and private nurseries.

Children attending a Council or funded private or voluntary nursery centres or classes during lunchtime will also be entitled to a free meal.

Parents and carers should continue to apply to their local nursery for a place for their child. When centres and classes have the capacity to accommodate 1140 hours before August 2020, parents will be contacted directly and asked to select their preferred option.

For more information on 1140 Early Learning and Childcare and our expansion plans, visit www.renfrewshire.gov.uk/1140ELC.

16/08/2019/by Brian McGuire

Renfrewshire Council’s approach to finding long-term homes for people at risk of homelessness has received a funding boost from the Scottish Government.

An initial £186,000 from the Scottish Government’s Ending Homelessness Together Fund will be used to expand the council’s Housing First service which reduces the time people spend in temporary accommodation and helps them to sustain settled accommodation.

Renfrewshire was the first council in Scotland to fund a Housing First model and has seen the number of households making homeless applications fall since 2012. The service provides ‘wrap-a-round’ support for people who have previously struggled to maintain tenancies.

Councillor Marie McGurk, Convener of Renfrewshire Council’s Communities, Housing and Planning Policy Board, said: “Caring for the most vulnerable in our communities is one of our top priorities.

“We have a strong focus on preventing homelessness and an excellent track record of supporting those in need. This funding will allow us to increase the tailored support we already provide and continue our efforts to help anyone facing homelessness in Renfrewshire.”

The council received the funding after submitting its Rapid Rehousing Transition Plan to the Scottish Government in December. The plan sets out how the council and its partners will provide people facing homelessness with settled accommodation and appropriate support as quickly as possible and minimise the amount of time they spend in temporary accommodation. Renfrewshire’s plan is still being reviewed by Scottish Government, however the £186,000 funding will allow the Council to expand the service now.

Councillor McGurk added: “We have a number of measures in place to ensure early intervention and support for people facing homelessness.

“Our Homeless Services team works with a range of partners to provide assistance to anyone in housing need, as well as advice on their housing options. We have a range of furnished flats and supported accommodation available, providing people with a place to stay until they are able to move on to settled accommodation. Our Renfrewshire Homelessness Partnership also meets regularly throughout the year to review the local and national picture and consider new initiatives to help those in housing need.

“If you need advice contact our Housing Advice and Homeless Services on 0300 300 0222 or call 0800 121 4466 outside of office hours.”

16/08/2019/by Brian McGuire

Four groups from across Renfrewshire are set to receive £50,000 as part of the first wave of applications recommended for approval from a £1.87million fund created by Renfrewshire Council.

Councillors will consider five applications to the Green Spaces, Parks and Play Areas and Villages Investment Fund, totalling £209,088, to help improve and development community green spaces in Renfrewshire.

Upgrading and installing new play equipment has been a key priority for local groups, although the fund does encourage applications for all aspects of green spaces to improve their look, feel and usability.

Applications for the maximum allocation of £50,000 set to be considered are:

A brand-new zip slide, outdoor gymnasium, skateboard ramps, football goals and junior play area in Howwood Public Park.
New all-inclusive play equipment chosen by local children in Queen’s Road Play Park in Elderslie.
An enhanced play area within Glencoats Park as part of the first phase of improvements planned by local group Pals of the Privies.
New dynamic, exciting play equipment in Skye Crescent Play Park in Glenburn which will be inclusive for all young people.

An application of £9088 from Friends of Knockhill Park will also be considered to install a new expression swing for young parents and carers to use with their little ones, as well as new picnic benches and seating in the park.

Langcraigs Parent Council have been awarded £4875 to establish an all-hours accessible play park within the school grounds which will have a mini football pitch, basketball nets and other playground games.

Councillor Marie McGurk, Convener of Renfrewshire Council’s Communities, Housing and Planning Policy Board, said: “These projects will make a huge difference to the local area if they are approved and we’ll continue to work with local groups to ensure their applications fit the criteria required and will benefit their local community.

“The fund gives people the opportunity to shape the development of their local parks and green spaces and carry out improvements that, using their local knowledge, will be of most benefit to the community.

“If you have an idea which fits the bill, please get in contact with the team and we’ll support you to make your application for future awards from this £1.87million fund.”

The Green Spaces, Parks and Play Areas and Villages Investment Fund aims to regenerate and make physical and environmental improvements to areas across Renfrewshire identified by the local community.

Awards from the fund will assist in bringing in external funding, increase community participation in local areas and encourage the process of transferring assets to local communities.

Each application must show it has consulted the local community to ensure there is a need and desire for the project and that it would improve community life.

£370,000 has been ringfenced from the overall £1.87million fund specifically for investment in Renfrewshire’s villages, through the Villages Investment Fund, and applications must show that they will strengthen the unique identity, heritage and character of village life.

For more information and to find out how to apply, visit www.renfrewshire.gov.uk/greenspacesfund.

15/08/2019/by Brian McGuire

Four community groups in Renfrewshire are set to receive a share of over £45,000 in the next wave of funding from Renfrewshire Council’s Community Empowerment Fund.

Councillors will consider applications from groups including The STAR Project and Paisley Opera at the Communities, Housing and Planning Policy Board next Tuesday (20 August).

Applications recommended for approval include a request from The STAR Project for £20,000 to create a new labyrinth in Fountains Gardens, Paisley. A community asset transfer for the labyrinth site is currently underway.

Other applications being considered include a request for £10,000 from the 18th Paisley & District (Coats) Scout Group to carry out a feasibility study to find a suitable location for a new purpose-built Scout group and community facility in Foxbar.

Foxbar Community Garden & Environmental Projects Group has applied for £10,000 to support the development of a business plan to create a community garden and local hub facilities on the site of the demolished St Paul’s Primary in Foxbar.

And Paisley Opera has applied for £6,700 to carry out a community consultation and develop a business plan to create a rehearsal space and Community Hub in the East End of Paisley.

Councillor Marie McGurk, convener of the Communities, Housing and Planning Policy Board, said: “Renfrewshire is a thriving place, full of creative, passionate and innovative people and these project showcase that.

“We launched this fund in 2018 because we wanted to work with community groups and empower them to transform their local areas. I know these projects will make a big difference to their local areas and Renfrewshire if they are approved.”

The £1.5million Community Empowerment Fund provides grants to community groups that want to take over ownership and the running of a publicly owned building or piece of land in their local area through Community Asset Transfer. It is currently in its sixth round of funding, with applications to the seventh round of the fund closing on Tuesday 3 September 2019.

Councillor McGurk added: “I would encourage anyone who is interested in taking ownership of a public building or piece of land in their local area and transforming it to apply to the Community Empowerment Fund. Your project could change the lives of people in your community.”

For more information and to find out how to apply to the Community Empowerment Fund, visit http://www.renfrewshire.gov.uk/CommunityEmpowermentFund.

15/08/2019/by Brian McGuire

Communities in Renfrewshire will be supported with the cost of a loved one’s funeral thanks to a new service offered by Renfrewshire Council.

The council is working closely with local funeral directors to provide a ‘Respectful Funeral Service’, which enables families to access a tailored funeral package that is dignified, professional and affordable.

Designed to remove any unnecessary pressures after the loss of a loved one, the package will offer savings of up to 63% on the Scottish average cost of a funeral.

The Respectful Funeral Service package would include:

collection of the deceased from within Renfrewshire or any NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde property
care and preparation of the deceased
a choice of coffin ranging from light or dark wood effect, or environmental.
a place of rest and viewing facilities
a hearse and one family car
arrangements on the day of the funeral

Additional services can also be provided and can be discussed with the funeral director directly.

Councillor Cathy McEwan, Convener of Renfrewshire Council’s Infrastructure, Land and Environment Policy Board, said: “Losing a loved one is an extremely difficult time and we want to remove the pressures for people, such as cost, as best we possibly can.

“This new service provides comfort for people as they have the guarantee of a dignified and professional funeral, but one which also remains affordable for their family.

“We want to provide our support for our communities at the most difficult of times and this new service takes away some of the burden involved and allows them to focus on celebrating the life of the loved one they have lost.”

Seven partners have agreed to be part of the new service and will offer a Respectful Funeral Service to Renfrewshire residents.

These are:

Silver Rose Funeral Directors
Kenneth Keegan Independent Funeral Directors
John Roach Funeral Directors
D Moodie & Co Funeral Directors
Beaton Brothers Independent Funeral Directors
Co-op Funeralcare
Fosters Funeral Directors

Prices for each funeral director will vary, but all will be below the Scottish average cost for a funeral.

Councillor Marie McGurk added: “I’m delighted that this service is now in place for our residents as it will allow friends and families to focus on celebrating the life of their loved one, rather than the cost of their funeral.

“The service will be at an affordable cost, but with the assurance that it will be of a high standard and it’s great that we can help to provide this for our residents in Renfrewshire.”

For advice and more information, community members are encouraged to visit www.renfrewshire.gov.uk/respectfulfuneral or get in touch via 0300 300 0310 or registrar.cs@renfrewshire.gov.uk.

14/08/2019/by Brian McGuire