Scotland: National Rural Network
Funding for community services and facilities under the Scotland Rural Development Programme (SRDP) is to remain under the Rural Priorities option for the time being instead of transferring to LEADER. The switch to LEADER had been announced in September, but it has now been decided that, in response to concerns expressed by stakeholders, a longer transitional period is required and that community services and facilities (CSF) funding applications will continue to be accepted and progressed by the Regional Proposal Assessment Committees (RPACS) under Rural Priorities. The announcement was made in a statement on the Scottish Government's website.
Applicants are asked to note that, as previously announced, the November RPACs will consider CSF projects as usual. The statement also confirms that projects containing CSF options which meet the appropriate January deadlines and information requirements can be assessed at the RPACs scheduled for March 2010, where the 90% grant rate announced by the Cabinet Secretary will apply. Projects still in development should continue to follow Rural Priorities guidance and timescales, in consultation with Case Officers. Details on the arrangements for assessment beyond the March RPACs will be announced in due course.
The Government have said that work will continue on transferring CSF into LEADER and that further details on this process will be published on the SRDP website as they become available.
Commenting on the announcement, Norman MacAskill of SCVO, who run the Rural Direct service that assists communities to access funding, said: "This is good news for the many community groups who are in the process of applying for funding for village halls and other vital community assets. In principle, community funding sits well with LEADER, but in practise the change was leading to uncertainty and a degree of confusion. We welcome the fact the the Scottish Government have decided to pause and take the time to fine tune the transition so that it will provide the best possible support and access for rural communities."
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Comments
I'd be really interested to
I'd be really interested to hear the views of people involved in LEADER and in developing and funding community facilities about this proposal. Is it a good idea in principle? What are the problems? How could it be made to work?
The idea is certainly good in
The idea is certainly good in principle. The Cooke report has confirmed the Minister's own opinion that LEADER has the potential to empower communities further and is a good bottom up mechanism to helpthat delivery.
The initial problems will be, encouraging a partnership between, on the one hand a group which holds representative but diverse views, agendas and aims, together with a community of more singular and regulatory purpose who hold the purse strings and also hampered by higher regulatory burden. Much discussion will be required to engender understanding and trust. Effective communication, respect and a bit of give and take should result in the recognition that actually, they share a common goal and it is just the detail of delivery that remains the challenge.
It reminds me of the start of the Forth SEPA Area Advisory Group process. SEPA were the bad guys and the various Stakeholders sat around the table, not just suspicious of SEPA, but of each other, ready to staunchly protect their individual power bases. Through skilled Chairmanship, it was not long before the barriers were replaced by understanding and an interest in the bigger picture and genuine team working which has led to a more effective and enjoyable way of working.
Any new process involving such a wide variety of players will take time but all involved have a duty, for the sake of our communities to make an effort to understand each other's concerns. Time must not be wasted on any argument driven from ignorance.