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SPECIALIST AND OUTCOME BASED PLANS (Rural Priorities)
Article 20(a)(iv)
Measure Code (114)
Rationale for intervention
Planning is an essential part of successful business and environmental management and delivery of priority outcomes through Rural Development Contracts ( RDCs). Outcome based plans and where required, specialist plans (for non agri-environment measures), are requirements for applications for funding under RDC - Rural Priorities.
Plans can be extremely costly and a deterrent to applicants especially as RDC - Rural Priorities is competitive and with no guarantee applications will be successful. Financial support will encourage applications by sharing the cost of these plans and reducing the financial risk to the applicant.
Objectives of the measure
To encourage beneficiaries to deliver priority outcomes through rural development funding by providing financial support to prepare outcome based and specialist plans. To record management information & practices which will be undertaken throughout each year of the agreement.
Scope and actions
Support will be available to potential beneficiaries who develop outcome based plans and/or specialist plans which require input from an advisor or a consultant in order to deliver the desired outcomes in support of an application for rural development funding. These plans will form the basis for the undertakings to be carried out by the applicant. Applicants will have to be able to provide evidence that the plan has been completed. Non compliance with the plan will result in the application of reductions and penalties.
Beneficiaries
Individuals, groups and businesses.
Description of the operations
Option A: Funding will be available for the preparation of outcome based plans (excluding the costs of drafting basic business information) which support applications for rural development funding. The plan will include a business or project audit for Axis 1 and Axis 3 applications including an assessment of their environmental impact. The plan for Axis 2 proposals will include an environmental audit of the business including a detailed map.
Option B: Additional funding will be available for the preparation of outcome based plans (excluding the costs of drafting basic business information) which require the applicant to seek expert advice from a specialist advisor to ensure delivery of the proposed outcomes in an application for rural development funding. The plan will include a business or project audit for Axis 1 and Axis 3 applications including an assessment of their environmental impact.
Details on coverage of support
The decision on whether funding will be made available for a specialist plan will lie with the Scottish Executive. Funding will only be available where potential beneficiaries are advised after the initial scoping stage that the proposed application is aligned with priorities set by the appropriate Regional Project Assessment Committee or in accordance with other national priorities and obligations.
Rate of support
Option A: 50% of cost of outcome based or specialist plan up to a maximum of €292 per beneficiary. Receipted invoices must be submitted before payment will be made unless the beneficiary prepared the plan.
Option B: 50% of cost of outcome based or specialist plan up to a maximum of €584 per beneficiary. Receipted invoices must be submitted.
Demarcation role with other EU financial instruments
No other funding streams will be used for this measure.
Those in receipt of support under specialist plans funded through the agri-environment measure 214 will not be eligible for support for a specialist plan under this measure.
Transition arrangements
Not applicable
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