« Previous | Contents | Next »
Listen
Ex-ante Evaluation of the Scottish Rural Development Programme 2007-2013
Overview
May 2007
Overview of the ex-ante evaluation of the Scottish Rural Development Programme 2007-2013.
DTZ was commissioned by the Scottish Executive Environment and Rural Affairs Department ( SEERAD) to conduct an ex-ante evaluation of the Scottish Rural Development Programme 2007-2013 ( SRDP) in August 2005.
The aims of the ex-ante evaluation were to provide an evidence base for the development of the SRDP and to provide an independent assessment of the plan document produced.
In order to comply with European Commission guidance, the ex ante evaluation had a number of components. These are listed here with more detail provided below:
Phase 1 Report including separate report on the Less Favoured Areas Support Scheme
- Phase 2 Report
- Phase 3 Report
- Regulatory Impact Assessment
- Strategic Environmental Assessment - Environmental Report
- Strategic Environmental Assessment - Post-adoption Statement
The components of the SRDP ex-ante evaluation are expanded below:
Phase 1 Report being assessment of the baseline situation and covering the following:
- The current SRDP, other relevant funding programmes and evaluations of rural development programmes in Scotland in order to assess value for money and lessons learned.
- Assess how current SRDP measures and spending relate to the axes and minimum expenditure limits in the new Rural Development Regulation ( RDR).
- Identify the current, medium and long term rural development needs through SWOT (Strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats) analysis.
- Make recommendations for priorities for the 2007-2013 rural development plan (based on the findings from all of the above) including assessment of what can be delivered within various budget scenarios.
A separate report was prepared on the Less Favoured Areas Support Scheme to sit alongside the Phase I report.
Phase 2 report being an appraisal of the Rural Development Strategy for Scotland and of the initial plan, ensuring that SEERAD has:
- Mapped out a logical programme within the framework of EU Strategic Guidance.
- Taken account of the national policy framework.
- Prioritised activities based on local needs and the resources available.
Phase 3 report being an appraisal of the penultimate plan and taking account of:
- the public consultation programme.
- comments on the programme targets.
- quality of procedures for implementation.
- monitoring, evaluation and financial management.
Regulatory Impact Assessment considering the positive and negative impacts of the SRDP on the private sector and any mitigating measures that could be taken.
Strategic Environmental Assessment conducted in conjunction with Royal Haskoning to ensure the SRDP complies with the SEA Directive, the Environmental Report aimed to identify and suggest mitigation for areas of potentially negative environmental impact. This report was put out to public consultation. On the basis of the comments received, a post-adoption statement was prepared by DTZ to assess how the comments had been taken into account in the development of the programme.
It should be noted that the ex-ante evaluation was conducted without access to the final financial budget of the programme. However, the Phase 1 report contains a range of scenarios prepared to consider the parameters and risks associated with funding the SRDP.
« Previous | Contents | Next »