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ANNEX 8
LEADER DELIVERY & REGIONALISATION
1 Structure
1.1 The structure of how LEADER fits within the SRDP and regional delivery needs to be considered first. The Scottish Executive will be the Managing Authority for the Scotland Rural Development Programme ( SRDP) as a whole. The chart below indicates that the Local Action Group ( LAG) will decide on local projects in order to deliver the Local Development Strategy, and how these fit with regional priorities and national ( SRDP) outcomes and obligations such as Water Framework and Nitrates Directives.
1.2 For administrative purposes Scotland has been divided into 11 "On the Ground" regions as shown on the map at Annex 2. Each region, which may have more than one Local Authority within it, will have an SRDP delivery structure as shown below, with a Regional Project Assessment Committee ( RPAC) of public officials with the right skills to make recommendations on Rural Development Contracts ( RDC) Rural Priorities (previously known as Tier III Land Management Contracts). This body will meet once or twice a year with rural Stakeholders such as LAs, LAGs, LECs, CPPs, FCS, SNH, CVS, Community groups, NFUS, SCF, historical environmental bodies and others to discuss the regional context and the proposed regional priorities for a particular region. The RPAC will use these priorities when it meets three or four times a year to select RDC projects for funding. LAGs will be required to take account of the priorities in the implementation of their local strategy.
1.3 Local Action groups will each have their own budget and will decide on LEADER project applications. LAGs will liaise with staff involved in RDC delivery to ensure that there is no duplication or overlap in terms of what is being approved, and where possible will work to ensure complementarity of funding.
2 Key Contacts in each Region
2.1 The expectation is that there will be members of the "On the Ground" family on each of the LAGs wherever possible. LAGs may wish to have the same people on the RPAC and the LAG, as this would achieve a better exchange of information.
3 Case Officers
3.1 The intention is to create Case Officers to assist with RDC delivery. Their expertise would be called on to give advice to individual projects relating to specialist activities. They would work closely with LEADER co-ordinators, either through co-location or attendance at general meetings, to ensure that projects are given the best advice on funding. As a general rule RDCs will attract applications from individual businesses, whereas LEADER will concentrate on community groups. The ultimate aim is the best purchase of public benefit for the people of Scotland.
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