Improving local communities and the places where people live remain a key priority for residents, with feedback gathered through resident research helping to shape council budget decisions and inform a range of initiatives already being delivered across Renfrewshire.
Residents are now being encouraged to continue sharing their views through Your Voice Matters, a public engagement programme helping ensure future council priorities, services and investment reflect what matters most to local communities.
Leader of Renfrewshire Council, Councillor Iain Nicolson, said:
Through our engagement with local people, we've gained valuable insight into the issues that matter most to communities across Renfrewshire, and we've used that feedback to help shape our budget priorities and investment decisions.
You can already see that commitment in action through investment in our parks, play areas, new local housing, our neighbourhoods and community spaces. Projects such as the new BMX pump cycle track at Barshaw Park and Renfrewshire-wide play park investment programme are examples of how we're investing in the places that residents tell us are important to their quality of life. People want spaces they can come together and meet or where kids can safely play, things that help make communities a great place to live.
Your Voice Matters is about continuing that conversation and making sure residents remain at the heart of decision-making. As we develop our plans for the future, we want to hear from as many people as possible so we can build a Renfrewshire that reflects the priorities, ambitions and aspirations of the communities we serve.
Previous resident research identified issues such as the cost of living, local services, community facilities and the local environment as among the most important factors affecting quality of life. That feedback helped inform investment decisions within the council's 2026/27 budget, ensuring resources were focused on the areas residents said mattered most to them.
A key focus of that investment has been improving local places and community spaces. Residents highlighted the importance of quality parks and play areas, attractive neighbourhoods, accessible leisure facilities, green spaces and opportunities for communities to come together.
In response, the council has invested in play parks, sports and leisure facilities, neighbourhood improvements, community-led projects, green spaces, cultural destinations and events that bring communities together.
Since 2021, more than £5 million has been invested by the council, supported by Scottish Government and community fundraising, in more than 50 play parks and wheeled sports facilities across Renfrewshire, one of the largest public investments in Renfrewshire’s local community spaces.
As part of this ongoing commitment, the council allocated a further £2.1 million through the 2026/27 budget to the play park renewal programme over the next three years. This investment will ensure all council-owned play parks in Renfrewshire are renewed or refurbished by 2029.
Recent improvements, including the new BMX pump cycle track at Barshaw Park, demonstrate how investment is being directed towards creating high-quality spaces that support health, wellbeing, recreation and community life.
Funding was also allocated at the 2026/27 budget for the creation of an additional Environmental Impacts Team. The new team is now in place and has been delivering a programme of environmental maintenance across Renfrewshire.
Their work included weed control, vegetation clearance, footpath restoration, hedge cutting, park maintenance, school access improvements and general environmental enhancement, resulting in cleaner, safer and more attractive public spaces for residents.
The feedback gathered through Your Voice Matters will play an important role in shaping the new Council Plan and Community Plan, helping set priorities for the next five to ten years across areas including public services, communities, economic growth, health, wellbeing and the environment.
Residents can find out more about the programme and how to take part in Your Voice Matters by visiting www.renfrewshire.gov.uk/your-voice-matters.