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Overview

Scotland National Rural Network Tyne Esk Event 18 May 2010 Update on Rural Priorities Iain Rennick, Forth RPAC Chair. Overview. Summary of SRDP and Rural Priorities Relationship between Rural Priorities / LEADER Funding available for Community Projects Progress to date.

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Overview

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  1. Scotland National Rural NetworkTyne Esk Event 18 May 2010Update on Rural PrioritiesIain Rennick, Forth RPAC Chair

  2. Overview • Summary of SRDP and Rural Priorities • Relationship between Rural Priorities / LEADER • Funding available for Community Projects • Progress to date

  3. The Scottish Rural Development Programme • £1.6 billion programme of economic, environmental and social measures • Designed to develop rural Scotland over six years (to 2013) • Individuals and groups can seek support to help deliver the Government's strategic objectives in rural Scotland: • Business viability and competitiveness • Environmental improvements (water / climate change / landscape and biodiversity) • Thriving rural communities

  4. Rural Priorities • One of the key funding mechanisms within SRDP covering approximately 40% of the programme – i.e. over £600 million. • Combines previous rural funding programmes of Scottish Government, Forestry Commission Scotland and Scottish Natural Heritage. • Is competitive. • Is delivered through a regional structure - 11 regions. East Lothian and Midlothian fall within the Forth region. • Funding decisions made by the Forth RPAC (Regional Proposal Assessment Committee). • RPAC membership from SNH, FCS, RPID, SEPA, Scottish Enterprise and local authorities. • RPAC meetings are held every 4 months or so.

  5. RPAC – Regional Priorities • Each RPAC can sets its own regional priorities for projects it wishes to fund). These cover: • Business Viability and Competitiveness • Biodiversity • Landscape • Built & Cultural Heritage • Water and Soils • Adaptations to Mitigate Climate Change • Public Access • Diversification of Rural Enterprise • Thriving Rural Communities • It is likely that the priorities will be reviewed and revised over the coming year.

  6. Support for Rural Communities • Small scale renewable energy projects (50%) • Development / creation of micro enterprises (50%) • Information and awareness raising (50%) • Area access management (75%) • Management of archaeological and historic sites (100%) • Management and repair of vernacular buildings (75%) • Enjoyment of rural landscapes (75%) • Skills development to improve quality of life (75%) …and

  7. Support for Rural Communities • Collaborative Local Development Strategies (50%) • Community Services and Facilities (90%) (These 2 options may transfer from Rural Priorities to LEADER in the summer)

  8. Rural Priorities / LEADER • No single rule of thumb on which funding route is appropriate – depends on project, location and applicant type. • However, generally LEADER is best for: • smaller projects (less competition and unlikely to score well in rural priorities), • projects which involve employing project staff, • feasibility studies, and • projects involving training. • Advice is available from Rural Direct, LEADER programme managers and Rural Priority case officers. • There is close liaison between the Forth RPAC and LEADER staff.

  9. Forth RPAC: progress to date First Stage: Statement of Intent • > 800 Statements of Intent received. • > 75% of SOIs given ‘amber’ rating – proceed to next stage. Second Stage: Proposal • 7 RPAC meetings since August 2008. • RPAC has considered approx 370 proposals – 290 approved / 80 rejected. • Approx £20 million of funding awarded in Forth to date (8% of national total). Further £7 million awaiting approval from recent RPAC round. • Approx 60 proposals approved in East Lothian and Midlothian, totalling approx £4.6m

  10. Community Applications • Relatively few applications from rural communities in early rounds: • Issues with scheme complexity and online application process. • Issues with eligibility of community groups and quality of information provided. • Difficulties in getting match funding. • Confusion over overlap between Rural Priorities and LEADER. BUT • Increase in funding rate for some types of community project from 50% to 90% led to larger number of applications to recent RPAC round in April. • Most community applications relate to providing or upgrading community halls / centres and / or sports facilities.

  11. Summary • The Rural Priorities strand of SRDP can provide funding support to communities • The increase in grant rate to 90% has made this more attractive • Some community options may transfer to LEADER soon, but others will remain with Rural Priorities • The process can be daunting, but money is available for good projects and it is worth the effort. • Help is available though Rural Direct, LEADER staff and Rural Priorities staff. Don’t be afraid to ask!

  12. Questions www.scotland.gov.uk/srdp www.snh.org.uk

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