Renfrewshire Council is arranging a public meeting in Johnstone to discuss the council's £92m investment in education, community and leisure facilities.

The meeting is being organised by the council's Johnstone and Villages Area Local Committee and will take place in Johnstone Town Hall at 7 pm on Monday 31 August. Members of the public can attend and take part in the discussion.

"The Local Area Committees have been a great success in getting communities involved on issues which affect their areas," said Councillor Bruce McFee, convener of the Johnstone and Villages Local Area Committee.

"The £92m investment programme will bring benefits across Renfrewshire in improving educational, sporting and leisure facilities, taking forward regeneration and making the best use of the resources we have.

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"I accept there is particular interest in Johnstone and the surrounding area because of the proposal to close existing pools in Johnstone and Elderslie once new swimming pools and leisure facilities have been completed at Johnstone High and Linwood Sports Centre."

She continued: "That is why we have scheduled this meeting in the Main Hall of Johnstone Town Hall to give as many people the chance to find out more about and discuss the £92m investment on facilities. The meeting will concentrate on that single issue in order to allow for full discussion.

"I think it is vital that people look at all the issues involved. We are proposing integrated educational, community and leisure investment which will achieve greater benefits than isolated refurbishment or stand alone facilities. The investment we make has to be affordable and sustainable within the resources available to the council."

Last month, Renfrewshire Council secured £775,000 from the Scottish Government for a programme of economic regeneration measures for Johnstone and the surrounding communities.

Cllr McFee said that funding success underlined Renfrewshire Council's commitment to regenerating traditional town and village centres.

The council has agreed to a study into regeneration options for Johnstone and Elderslie. The study will begin in the near future and involve extensive public consultation.

(GK/BMcC)