Renfrewshire Council: the Audit of Best Value and ... - Audit Scotland

Exhibit 5
Renfrewshire Council is developing its ‘learning neighbourhoods’ structure as part of its approach
to community planning.
The concept of a learning neighbourhood encourages integrated working between services for children and
families promoted by integrated community schools. The features of a learning neighbourhood include:
• a focus on the learning needs of all who live within the neighbourhood
• engagement with individual learners
• support for pupils and their families
• engagement with the wider neighbourhood
• integrated provision of learning (formal and informal), social work and health education
• increased access to leisure and cultural opportunities
• access to information, advice and guidance on learning and employment opportunities
• a commitment to closing the opportunities gap
• support for community groups and organisations.
The key outcomes of this concept are to contribute towards:
• improved attendance and attainment for young people
• reductions in exclusion rates from school
• reduced youth and adult unemployment
• improved levels of literacy and numeracy
• improved levels of health and fitness
• reductions in crime and vandalism
• increased participation in leisure, cultural and community activities
• increased participation in the community planning process.
Source: Renfrewshire Council
53. The council has a number of strategic partnership arrangements designed to ensure a joined up
approach to developing the local area and tackling complex problems. The council is a member of the
Clyde Valley Community Planning Partnership which is developing and delivering the vision for the
metropolitan region around Glasgow, including securing funding from the Cities Growth Fund for key
projects.
54. Glasgow airport has a major impact on the local area and the Glasgow Airport Zone Partnership aims
to provide a development framework to maximise economic activity in the area around the airport.
The airport directly employs 5,000 staff and a further 11,000 people are employed indirectly across
Scotland. The potential for developing a Centre of Excellence for aircraft maintenance, repair and
overhaul activities has been identified. The council is working with Scottish Enterprise Renfrew, BAA
Glasgow and Renfrewshire Chamber of Commerce to explore this opportunity.
55. The council is also a member of the Clyde Waterfront Strategic Board. One of the main projects under
way within this partnership is the development of Renfrew Riverside to provide 2,100 new homes,
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