The origins of the granting of the Charter that made Renfrew a Royal Burgh are not known but it is noted that King David I refers to Renfrew as 'My Burgh' in 1141, when he granted to the Abbey Church of Holyrood a 'toft of land' in Renfrew with one salmon net and the Right to fish for herring. The 'shire' was known as the Barony of Renfrew and the Burgh was the principal town. As a Royal Burgh it was owned by the Kings of Scotland and became, in the hands of Walter The High Steward, the Burgh of Barony. The first Charter making Renfrew a Royal Burgh was granted in 1396 by King Robert III who created the Barony of Renfrew with the Stuart estates as a separate Shire and bestowed the title Baron of Renfrew upon his son, James I. This first Charter contains the Rights to the Burgh and fishing rights and in a second Charter granted in 1575 King James V1 gave privileges to 'all religious houses and alterages'. A third Charter in 1614 gives privileges to the 'principal port on the Clyde'. Added to a list of properties are the words

'For the better maintenance of the poor, and a grammar school in the said Burgh, for the education of the young in virtue and learning and under the direction of the Provost and Bailies'. An ecclesiastical property was set aside for the maintenance of the grammar school.

Community Councils

The key roles of Renfrew Community Council are:

To represent the views of the community to Renfrewshire Council and other public bodies operating in the area
To act to further the interests of the community.
To be consulted on planning applications within the area .
To consider exercising their powers to object to the granting, renewal or transfer of liquor licences.
Community councils play an active role in expressing the views and concerns of local people within their area on a wide range of issues of public interest. Renfrewshire Council encourage residents to become involved in their local community councils.