Residents across Renfrewshire are being encouraged to put forward ideas for improvements in their local area as part of the second year of the YouDecide Tenants Fund.
The fund will see £600,000 invested in projects suggested by tenants and residents and voted for by council tenants over three years, giving local people a direct say in how money is spent in their communities.
The programme is already delivering a range of improvements as part of the first year, with 16 projects chosen by tenants following a local vote, for the improvements they wanted to see most in their area.
The deadline for submitting ideas for Year 2 of the fund is Sunday 27 September.
Projects supported through the first year of the fund include installation of new pathways, new seating and planters, community notice boards, cosmetic upgrades to communal closes and designated bin storage areas.
Residents can make suggestions for projects such as environmental improvements, new fencing, gates, lighting and other enhancements that make neighbourhoods better places to live.
One tenant who is putting forward an idea for this year’s fund is Bernadette Barrie who submitted ideas for her local area after helping her brother submit a winning project from year 1 of the fund. She attended one of the initial library information events to find out more about the fund.
She said:
I went along to one of the library sessions with my brother to find out more when it was first launched. When I went back this year, I had a much better idea of what I was looking for.
The second time around, I already had an idea in mind for my area and the team helped me develop it and look at anything else I wanted to add.
I think YouDecide Tenants is a really good idea. It gave me an opportunity to meet people in my area, as I haven't lived in my house for very long. I spoke to neighbours and we worked on ideas together. The team was really helpful and have gone out of their way to keep me updated on progress.
To help people get involved, the council has been holding information sessions in libraries and communities across Renfrewshire, helping tenants develop their ideas and submit proposals.
The YouDecide Tenants Fund was developed in partnership with the Tenants' Scrutiny Panel and is designed to ensure tenants have a direct role in deciding how part of the housing budget is spent.
Councillor Marie McGurk, Convener of Renfrewshire Council's Housing and Communities Policy Board, said:
Year 1 of the YouDecide Tenants Fund has shown the difference that can be made when tenants have a direct say in shaping their communities.
We have already seen projects delivered that are making a real difference to neighbourhoods across Renfrewshire, and we're now looking for even more ideas from tenants for Year 2.
If you have an idea that could improve your area, I'd encourage you to get involved and submit it before 27 September.
The YouDecide Tenants Fund earmarked £150,000 in Year 1, £250,000 in Year 2 and £200,000 in Year 3, with funding distributed across council housing areas throughout Renfrewshire.
Once the submission period closes, projects that meet the fund criteria will go forward to a vote, with council tenants deciding which ideas receive funding in their local area.
To submit an idea or find out more about the fund, visit: www.renfrewshire.gov.uk/youdecide-tenants.