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5 MANAGEMENT & ADMINISTRATION
5.1 Lead Authority
As with the previous Leader+ programme, the Scottish Executive will be looking to bodies such as Local Authorities or Local Enterprise Companies to act as the main local sponsoring partners for the LAGs and assume responsibility for the LEADER funding. Being an approved, publicly accountable body, they will act as intermediate beneficiary and hold the LAG money, arranging payment authorised by the LAG on approved projects to the local beneficiaries. It will be incumbent on the Scottish Executive to ensure that adequate controls are in place and that the process is effectively managed.
5.2 Running Costs
The share of the Local Action Group budget for running the groups themselves will be subject to a maximum of 20% of the actual budget allocated to each Local Action Group. The following are examples of types of activities which may be funded:
- core costs relating to the day to day running of the LAG
- staff and management training
- travel costs for staff and LAG members
- animation and publicity of LEADER in area
- LEADER events and related costs
- updating strategy
The above is an indicative list and Groups should not restrict themselves to it.
Setting a maximum instead of specifying a target amount will allow Local Action Groups the flexibility to set the running costs at a level which meets their particular needs. If a Local Action Group is able to cover its running costs with 10% of its budget, this will result in 90% of the budget being available for other activities and projects.
Some Local Action Groups may require less of their budget to be spent on running costs, as other funding partners may contribute in kind, for example administrative services as opposed to a cash allocation. This would allow the Local Action Group to save on its running cost outgoings and leave more funding available for projects.
5.3 LEADER Network
The Leader+ network has from a slow start proved highly successful in sharing information, best practice and contacts for joint working. It is intended to continue to run a LEADER network as a sub-group of the Rural Network. To facilitate this, a sum of around £0.25m LEADER funding will be used to co-ordinate networking in Scotland
5.4 Co-operation
LEADER will have a strong emphasis on co-operation between rural territories, and LAGs are expected to work together to share experiences of best practice.
Guidance on Co-operation can be found atAnnex 7.
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