Community Planning in practice

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Our community plans involve extensive consultation with residents, voluntary and community groups, and organisations that have an interest in the future of Renfrewshire. This means that each of the consultations is directly linked into local decision-making processes and discussions around service improvements. Our Public Services Panel is one of the main elements of our consultation process.

Partnership working brings many benefits. Organisations gain a shared understanding of local issues and they can work together to deliver solutions without duplication of effort. By reading our case studies and performance report, you will find out about the positive changes we have made in Renfrewshire based on outcomes agreed in the Single Outcome Agreement.

Below are some examples of our work that support the achievements of Scotland's national outcomes:

• Our children will be well qualified and prepared for adult life
• The health of our young children is improved
• Sustainable reduction in antisocial behaviour and violence in our communities
• Reduction in the number of injuries and deaths due to accidents
• Increased access to cultural, sporting and learning activities is underpinned by equality of opportunity for children, young people and adults

Our children will be well qualified and prepared for adult life:

The Millennium Volunteering (MV) Awards is a free national awards scheme open to all 16 to 25 year old volunteers in Scotland. The awards are presented to people who have given 50 hours, 100 hours and 200 hours of their time to volunteering. They are endorsed by Scottish Government ministers and supported nationwide by the Volunteer Centre Network Scotland and Volunteer Development Scotland.

In our area, the awards are delivered by the Volunteer Service Renfrewshire. They have successfully established MV Awards programmes with the following schools: Castlehead, Johnstone High, Gryffe, Gleniffer, Paisley Grammar, Park Mains, St Benedicts and Trinity High. Additional arrangements have also been put in place with the uniformed organisations locally together with Active Schools, Basketball Paisley and Renfrewshire Council Youth Services.

During the course of the year, MV engagement and encouragement activity is undertaken to ensure participation and continued involvement after initial registration.

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The health of our young children is improved:

Renfrewshire continues to implement and support the West of Scotland 'Childsmile' initiative by increasing the number of new-born children accessing it.

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Sustainable reduction in antisocial behaviour and violence in our communities:

The Joint Tasking and Co-ordinating Group meets fortnightly and continues to deploy police, council and fire service resources to key locations. Through a combination of enforcement and diversionary activities, there was a reduction in antisocial behaviour and violence in 2009/2010.

The Diversionary Group manage the 'Investing in the Future' project, which aims to reduce antisocial behaviour among young people by offering a range of free activities such as street football and portable entertainment and gym facilities. The activities are available to young people in areas experiencing higher levels of disorder and the project has been extremely successful so far, recording over 15,000 attendees.

Other activities funded by the Safer Renfrewshire Partnership included ASIST/Police Prevention Visits, Twilight Basketball, Street Links Street Work Programme and Kando Violence Reduction Programme.

The Safer and Stronger Communications Group has developed a calendar of media activities to deliver key messages to the public and specific target audiences.

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Reduction in the number of injuries and deaths due to accidents:

The Safe Kids Experiential Learning Programme involved a range of local services from the council to the Police coming together to help children learn how to avoid dangers through practical experience. The programme took place in Renfrewshire throughout March 2010 and the feedback received so far has been very positive.

Further youth engagement is planned over the coming months. The 'Home Fire Service Visit' that Strathclyde Fire and Rescue offer continues to be a success. Fire Service employees continue to seek out new partnership working to increase the take up of this service, which aims to reduce the risk of fire for Renfrewshire communities.

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Increased access to cultural, sporting and learning activities is underpinned by equality of opportunity for children, young people and adults:

The Youth Service provides sporting and learning activities that are designed to enable physical and mental well-being, as well as providing a diversion to antisocial behaviour. This work is continuous throughout the year and is part of the core and non-core delivery of services.

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