Plan

Supporting information, data, and feedback

Renfrewshire Children's Services Partnership (RCSP) has developed a suite of supporting documents to inform and strengthen the new RCSP Plan. 

These resources bring together local data, insight from children and young people, and feedback from partners to help shape our shared priorities for the year ahead.

We believe that every child in Renfrewshire matters and we want their journey to adulthood to be a safe, healthy and nurturing experience.

Every child should be respected and supported to achieve their full potential. Services working with children and their families will work together to achieve this.

What each service improvement plan includes

The plans identify how each department will improve the services they provide to make them more efficient.

Each plan includes:

• the individual services in that department
• transformation and financial sustainability
• resources and risks
• data strategy
• the service improvement context
• other key plans, strategies and reports
• key priorities
• looking ahead: focus for 2026 and 2027
• delivering the council plan.

Our service improvement plans detail the activities of each of the 4 Council departments and how they contribute to the successful delivery of Renfrewshire Council’s Plan and the Renfrewshire Community Plan.

Our current Council Plan

Each council plan covers 5 years  and our current plan runs from 2022 to 2027.  

We keep it under review so that if circumstances change , we can make sure our actions are still targeted at the right priorities.  

We updated the current plan in 2024.

Find out:

• what we mean by our strategic outcomes 
• details about our priorities
• what actions we will take to achieve lasting positive change across our strategic outcomes.

Council Plan Performance Framework

You can also read about how we measure our progress and get an understanding of how we are doing with our Council Plan Performance Framework.

Our Council Plan sets out how we will work with communities, partners and businesses to make lasting, positive change across Renfrewshire.

Creating a fairer Renfrewshire built on innovation, wellbeing and opportunity.

We group our actions under these 5 strategic outcomes:

• place
• economy
• fair
• green
• values.

Sitting alongside these we have cross-cutting theme of improving outcomes for children and families.  The theme of 'improving outcomes for children and families' will be important throughout these strategic outcomes.

Grouped under each outcome area are the high-level priorities we will focus on. 

Who the plan is for

Renfrewshire’s BSL Plan is relevant to anyone who is a BSL user. This includes but is not limited to people whose first or preferred language is BSL and people who receive the language in a tactile form due to sight loss.

We acknowledge that the majority of BSL users are deaf or deafblind and that there are many deaf and deafblind people who do not use BSL.

The plan is also relevant to anyone with a connection to BSL, such as family members of deaf people who are BSL users, parents of deaf children, and more.

Why the plan matters

The BSL Plan is important because it promotes equality and inclusion for the Deaf community, ensuring they have equal access to services and opportunities. Our plan helps to address barriers faced by BSL users in various aspects of life.

How to read or view the plan

In English

You can download the Renfrewshire BSL Plan:

In BSL

You can view the plan in BSL videos:

Contact us

We welcome feedback on our BSL Plan from anyone, including residents, organisations, community and voluntary groups, and members of the public.

We want to ensure that the plan's actions are relevant and responsive to BSL users over the plan's timespan. Whether you’re an individual or part of a group, we’re happy for you to get in touch with us, and we’ll arrange a suitable way to collect your feedback.

Email Astrid Smallenbroek, the equalities development officer, at astrid.smallenbroek@renfrewshire.gov.uk.

If you’re a BSL user, contact Astrid Smallenbroek, the equalities development officer, through Contact Scotland BSL (non-council website) on +44 141 487 3212.

The British Sign Language (Scotland) Act 2015 requires us to publish a BSL plan every 6 years showing how we’ll promote and facilitate the use and understanding of BSL. 

Our BSL Plan helps us better meet the needs of BSL users. The actions in the plan cover a range of council services, such as improving BSL content on the website and encouraging BSL-using parents to take part in parent councils.

The plan was developed in consultation with BSL users and follows the Scottish Government’s BSL National Plan (Scottish Government website). The BSL National Plan’s ambition is to make Scotland the best place in the world for BSL users to live, work, visit, and learn. The BSL National Plan commits the Scottish Government to several actions under 10 priority areas. We framed our plan in Renfrewshire around the same long-term goals as the BSL National Plan where these areas are relevant to the council.

The plan has 5 key priority areas

The priority areas are:

• Clean Energy - we will minimise energy demand, maximise energy efficiency and transform our energy systems to deliver clean, affordable energy for all.
• Sustainable Transport - we will maximise sustainable transport opportunities to deliver an inclusive, affordable transport system that provides choice for all.
• Circular Economy - we will make Renfrewshire a zero-waste society with a circular economy: minimising waste and maximising reuse, recycling and recovery of resources rather than treating them as waste.
• Resilient Place - we will optimise biodiversity and nature locally to enhance our natural environment and maximise green economic opportunities while planning and preparing for impacts of climate change.
• Connected Communities - we will empower our communities by ensuring an inclusive and just transition to net zero with social justice and health and wellbeing at its core for current and future generations.

Renfrewshire’s Plan for Net Zero, RenZero, was published in 2022 and is being delivered by Renfrewshire Council’s Sustainability Team, in collaboration with other services and partners.

Net zero means the amount of greenhouse gases we release into the atmosphere is balanced by the amount we remove (for example, through planting trees or using carbon capture technology).

The Carbon Management Plan includes:

• Purpose and Goals: The CMP sets out our commitment to reducing carbon emissions, aligning with our broader sustainability goals such as working towards net zero emissions by 2030.
• Baseline Emissions: It includes an assessment of the current carbon footprint, detailing the sources of emissions (such as energy use, transportation, waste).
• Reduction Strategies: The plan outlines specific actions and projects aimed at reducing emissions. This includes energy efficiency measures, waste reduction strategies and committing to increase the use of on-site renewable energy.
• CMP Targets and interim milestones: The CMP will include an overall reduction target. This will be calculated from planned, tangible projects with annual milestones to monitor progress within each carbon reduction category.
• Monitoring and Reporting: The CMP includes mechanisms for tracking progress and reporting on emissions reductions, ensuring transparency and accountability.
  Stakeholder Engagement: Engaging with stakeholders, including employees, school staff and pupils to ensure broad support and participation in carbon reduction efforts.

Read the Carbon Management Plan

This is Renfrewshire Council's 4th Carbon Management Plan (CMP). This CMP is a strategic document that outlines Renfrewshire Council's (including OneRen) approach to reducing its carbon emissions.

Contact the Climate team by email at:

Renfrewshire’s Promise annual report

Keeping The Promise in Renfrewshire – Annual Report 2026 provides a clear and accessible account of collective progress from February 2025 to February 2026.

It outlines how partners across Renfrewshire are continuing to embed the foundations of The Promise.

Two versions of the Annual Report:

• Renfrewshire’s Promise 2026 - A comprehensive report detailing progress across all services and partnership areas, explaining how The Promise is being delivered locally and how lived experience shapes decision making, planning and system change.
• Renfrewshire’s Pinky Promise 2026 - A child friendly version presenting the key messages in a simple, visual and accessible format for children, young people, and anyone who prefers a simpler style.

Keep The Promise in Renfrewshire Action Plan 2026 to 2029

The Action Plan 2026 to 2029 sets out detailed actions partners will deliver over the next 3 years. It aligns with: Promise Plan 24–30, Scottish Government Implementation Plan and Local strategic priorities.

The plan uses 2 core descriptors:

• Descriptor 1: Listening, Leading and Working Together -
  Focuses on leadership, governance, culture, language and ensuring Care Experienced voices shape all activity.
• Descriptor 2: Supporting Families and Changing Systems That Work for Everyone - 
  Focuses on workforce development, employability, whole family wellbeing, children’s hearings, community justice, and system redesign.

Each action includes responsibilities, timescales and monitoring measures.

We want to work together to support infants, children, and families when they need help.

The Promise is included in lots of council plans and is across all council services and our partners.

The Promise has a key focus around better life experiences for all our Care Experienced Community.

Key facts from our 2026 to 2027 budget

• Budget of £622.794million for 2026/27
• £1.3million is allocated for the Fairer Renfrewshire programme  
• £1.4million for school pitches to improve outdoor sport and exercise opportunities
• £2.1million for play parks over the next 3 years  
• £2million to support upgrades to OneRen sports and leisure venues  
• £200,000 for sports pavilions to encourage increased usage and potentially community ownership  
• £100,000 for condition surveys and improvements to Renfrewshire memorials
• £200,000 for an additional Community Environment Team to keep Renfrewshire clean  
• £350,000 to extend the current programme of events to 2028/29  
• £300,000 for a replacement Skoobmobile vehicle  
• £150,000 for a community improvement fund to address environment issues around tenements, flats and estates  
• A 5-year investment of £337million in Renfrewshire Council housing  
• £6.137million to Renfrewshire’s Health and Social Care Partnership  
• 5% inflationary increase in charges for services, with the exception of non-residential adult social care services and parking charges which will be frozen
• Commitment to maintain unallocated reserves at £10million  
• Council tax rise of 7.5%.

Budget investments

Supporting People

£1.3million is allocated for the Fairer Renfrewshire programme to support:  

• Continuation of the £50 winter school clothing payment to eligible children  
• Continuation of the Winter Connections programme  
• Continuation of funding to Renfrewshire Citizens Advice Bureau to allow them to continue to support Welfare Rights Advocacy and Schools advice
• A further £200,000 will top up the discretionary housing payments  
• A top-up of £600,000 for the Scottish Welfare Fund.  

£300,000 has been allocated to fund the replacement and fit out of a new Skoobmobile vehicle to support the continued delivery of this service.

Charges related to non-residential adult social care will also be frozen, supporting those most in need so those who are eligible to pay, will not face any increases this year.

£20,000 to expand the DigiKnowVember campaign and DigiZones across Renfrewshire.

Health and Social Care  

Renfrewshire Health and Social Care Partnership will receive £5.767million to support adult social care services including social work and Care at Home services.  

A further £370,000 will be allocated on a recurring basis - in relation to the 2025/26 pay award.    

Investing in our place

A further £1.4million has been allocated to upgrade existing pitches at Linwood and St Benedict’s High Schools, ensuring every High School in Renfrewshire has the benefit of all weather pitch provision.

£2.1million will be invested over the next 3 years to fully complete the significant investment already made towards the refurbishment and or replacement of every council play park in Renfrewshire.

£2million will support the upgrade of sport and leisure facilities managed by OneRen.

£200,000 will be invested in sports pavilions which are in use, but underutilised, to encourage increased usage and potentially community ownership.

£100,000 has been earmarked to enable condition surveys, cleaning and improvements of public memorials in Renfrewshire, recognising their importance to local communities.  

A further £200,000 will be used to expand the Community Environment Team adding an additional squad to help keep communities throughout Renfrewshire clean.

Funding for communities

To address the environmental quality around tenements, flats and estates, £150,000 will be invested in a community improvement fund targeting areas where ongoing issues are affecting daily life, with Gallowhill identified as priority for investment.

£100,000 is allocated for resident associations to apply to improve play parks they’re responsible for maintaining.  

£30,000 will be allocated to support community and ‘Friends of…’ groups who volunteer to maintain and improve their local areas.  

Environment

£25,000 will be allocated on a recurring basis to increase the tree replacement programme.

The council will investigate the potential purchase of land in the Blythswood area of Renfrew to protect open green space and commits £30,000 for initial work to be undertaken.  

Budget provision has also been made to enable the council’s entire diesel fleet to use HVO fuel, reducing emissions and contributing to our Net Zero objectives.

Events and Culture

£350,000 will be allocated to extend the current programme of events to 2028/29.  

£100,000 will be used to support the delivery of the Johnstone Criterium Cycling event.  

£480,000 will fund a two-year visitor marketing campaign and enhanced events support, to build on the major cultural investment by the Council.

£80,000 has been allocated to explore the potential for a Dark Sky Park in Muirshiel Country Park, in partnership with Glasgow Science Centre.  

£30,000 will be used to undertake a full condition survey of the visitor centre at Castle Semple to develop options for the improvement of the facility.

£120,000 of match funding will be allocated to help enable the completion of Phase 2 of Exchange Theatre project.

Council Housing

7.5% rent increase in 2026/27 for the second year of the 3-year rent strategy approved in 2025.  

A 5-year investment of £337million in Renfrewshire Council housing (made up of £51million of government grant for new builds and net capital programme of £286million).

£250,000 for year 2 of the £600,000 YouDecide Tenant Fund which gives tenants the power to decide how the fund is spent and what improvements they’d like to see in their area.  

2,210 improvements will be made to homes this year through investment works, new build housing and our housing regeneration and renewal programme.  

A further £1.3million will enhance the responsive repairs and maintenance service tenants rely on.

Key facts from our 2025 to 2026 budget

• £549.287 million budget
• £422.373 million Scottish Government grant currently confirmed
• Council tax frozen at 2023/2024 rates
• Further £4 million to confirm the construction of a new Thorn Primary School
• A further £700,000 to support our £5 million Fairer Renfrewshire programme
• A £5 million investment in our roads network
• Funding of £800,000 for artificial playing surfaces
• Additional £200,000 to create a £1 million package of support for local artists and cultural organisations over the next three years
• £130,000 for refurbishment and repairs to community halls
• Five-year investment totalling £281 million in Renfrewshire housing
• £10.9 million for the Renfrewshire Health and Social Care Partnership
• £8.864 million of savings and using up to £6.4 million of reserves
• Inflationary rise of 5% for service charges.

What we are investing in

These are the budget investments agreed for 2024 to 2025:

New Thorn Primary School

As part of this year's budget, a further £4 million in funding was committed to give the green light for the construction of a new Thorn Primary in Johnstone, adding to the £10 million already allocated to this project.  

Activity in support of the Fairer Renfrewshire programme

This includes:

• financial support for the Renfrewshire Citizens Advice Bureau's welfare rights service
• additional funding to enhance the Scottish Welfare Fund
  funding for ROAR - Connections for Life to help tackle the inequalities faced by older people in Renfrewshire
• additional funding to support a targeted programme of summer activities, including the provision of a healthy meal, for children and young people from low-income families
• additional funding for the award-winning Street Stuff programme
• the winter school clothing payment maintained for every child who needs it.

Roads investment

Building on our continued investment in Renfrewshire roads, a total of £5 million will be invested in maintenance and improvements to roads and footpaths in the year ahead - adding to the £6.7 million invested in 2023/24.

Housing investment

A five-year investment totalling £281 million in Renfrewshire housing.

More than 1,200 homes will see the benefit this year of £41million of improvements, which include:

• new kitchens and bathrooms
• more energy efficient heating systems
• replacement windows and roof repairs
• the building of new council houses.

Artificial playing surfaces

In recognition of the importance of outdoor play and sports, we have allocated £800,000 for artificial playing surfaces in sports facilities across Renfrewshire.

Improving reading and literacy

Every child in Renfrewshire between the ages of 2 and 5 will continue to receive a book every month through further investment in the Dolly Parton Imagination Library.

Cultural investment

To support the growth and ambition of the cultural sector in Renfrewshire, which will now see a decade of additional investment, we will add £200,000 to existing resources to create a £1 million package of support for local artists and cultural organisations over the next three years.

In addition, we will provide funding to the Renfrewshire schools' music service to celebrate the success of our young musicians, and make a contribution to the development of a heritage trail at Oakshaw in Paisley.

Environmental campaigns 

Our award-winning Team Up to Clean Up programme has been boosted to continue the fantastic joint working between the council and local volunteers.

The successful environmental taskforce has received investment to continue its work to tackle fly tipping in Renfrewshire, and a public litter bin replacement programme is underway.

Investing in buildings and shopfronts

Building on previous substantial investment in our community halls, £130,000 will support refurbishment and repair work, and the existing Retail Improvement Scheme will be topped up to continue to deliver the significant improvements to shopfronts and premises across Renfrewshire.

Reaffirming our commitment to The Promise

A further £70,000 will support the Who Cares? Scotland Communities that Care programme in Renfrewshire's nurseries and schools, supporting care experienced children and young people, and reaffirming our commitment to deliver The Promise

Renfrewshire Health and Social Care Partnership

We will provide £10.9 million to support the delivery of adult social care, including:

• social work
• Care at Home services
• care homes
• occupational therapy
• other vital services.

There will also be an additional £1.4 million to support pay awards for health and social care staff.

Key facts from our 2023 to 2024 budget

• £483.2million budget
• £389.7million Scottish
• Government grant
  Brings together £5million in Fairer Renfrewshire funding
• Committing £6.7million investment in roads and footpaths
• Launching an easy-to-access
• £1million Sustainable Communities Fund
• Protecting our five-year £424.2million capital investment programme
• £8.3million of service savings and up to £11million of reserves supporting this budget
• 6% Council Tax increase from 1 April 2023
• Below inflation 5% increase in service charges.

What we are investing in

These are the different budget investments agreed for 2023 to 2024.

Fairer Renfrewshire programme

The budget brings together £5million for our Fairer Renfrewshire programme.

New investments include a £50 winter school clothing payment for children eligible for school clothing grants and a programme of summer activities for children and young people from low-income families, providing them with access to play, sport, and a healthy meal.

There's also two-year support for advice services through Renfrewshire Citizens Advice Bureau to support people during the cost-of-living crisis.

A £200,000 increase in the Scottish Welfare Fund is also being committed.

Roads and footpaths

The new budget continues our significant investment in roads and footpaths, committing a total of £6.7million for the year ahead.

Sustainable Communities Fund

We're launching a new Sustainable Communities Fund, combining our community empowerment and climate change fund into one single easy-to-access £1,000,000 fund. It's part of a series of initiatives which promote community collaboration and better wellbeing, providing for a greener future.

This also includes £200,000 to boost the successful Villages Investment Fund which has helped strengthen the character, identity and heritage of village communities.

Funding is also being delivered through award-winning Team up to Clean Up for the first year of funding for replacing public litter bins.

Renfrewshire Health and Social Care Partnership 

We're providing around £3.3million to Renfrewshire Health and Social Care Partnership so they can pay health and social care staff the Living Wage.

Village road safety 

A combined £1.5million over the next three years from the Council and a cycling, walking and safer routes grant from the Scottish Government will help us to make village access routes safer and enhance the natural environment in Bridge of Weir, Houston, Howwood and Kilbarchan.

A further £150,000 will inform future investment in Bishopton, Elderslie and Lochwinnoch.

Fostering and kinship care

Fostering and kinship care is a vital role which has a hugely positive impact on a child's future and we're providing a 10% increase to the foster and kinship care allowance.

Sporting activity and play areas
Some £450,000 is being invested in play areas which will be added to Scottish Government funding and continue investment in play areas, with every council ward having benefited from our programme.

There is also an initial £50,000 to start the expansion of the concessionary swim programme to pre-school children.

We're also making a first contribution of £200,000 to the resurfacing of the running track at ON-X in Linwood, benefiting local athletes and schools.

Cultural funding

Cultural groups and organisations will benefit from £200,000 to replenish the hugely popular Culture, Heritage and Events Fund (CHEF) which has supported 135 different creative projects since 2016 including festivals, workshops, murals and productions in music, dance, theatre, literature, visual arts and design, film, and animation.