| Grazed Grassland for Chough | 8 March 2013 | The latest date to cut silage has been brought back from 20 June to 30 June. Mowing guidance has been updated and a diagram included. The stocking rate restriction has been removed. |
| Ongoing approvals of agri-environment and forestry projects | 26 February 2013 | 2013 dates and updated process confirmed for
Regional Priority 9 cases. |
| Desk Instructions RDC Variation (Signed) | 19 February 2013 | Variation (Signed) desk instruction updated to reflect various changes that have taken place. |
| Forestry Outcome Plan (word) Forestry Outcome Plan (pdf) | 2 November 2012 | Amended text in question 7 |
| Business Outcome Plan (word) Business Outcome Plan (pdf) | 2 November 2012 | Amended text in questions 5 & 7 |
| Legal and Financial Eligibilty | 2 November 2012 | Ameded text for questions 5 & 7 |
| Back Office - Desk Instructions Variations to Woodland Creation Options and Variations (Abbreviated) and Variation (Pre-signing) | 10 October 2012 | Various sections have been amended or inserted into the desk instructions to reflect the enhancements made to the variation system on 27 September 2012. Please refer to the Version control section of each set of instructions for full details. |
| Variations Guidance | 10 October 2012 | Update to variations guidance to take account of limited budget flexibility as we approach the end of the programme period. |
| Capital Items Claim Form | 10 October 2012 | The text has been amended at section 3 to show that the scheme beneficiary must incur the costs in the claim and section 6 to remove reference to LMCMS. |
| Rural Priorities Forestry Grants | 1 October 2012 | Changes have been made to the Rural Priorities Forestry Grants from 1st October 2012. This is necessary to avoid an overspend of the Forestry Grants budget in 2012, 2013 and 2014. Further briefing can be found on the Forestry Commission Scotland website. |
| Succession Guidance | 20 July 2012 | Update to successions guidance to clarify the situation for where successions will be accepted. |
| Rural Priorities Nature sites (SSSIs and Natura sites, Scheduled Monuments and sites of archaelogical/historic interest) | 13 July 2012 | Updated guidance for cases affecting nature sites (SSSIs and Natura sites), including info on SNH consents for SSSIs. |
| Rural Development Contracts - Rural Priorities (Scotland) Regulations 2008 | 12 July 2012 | Update to generic undertakings on web to align them with the generic undertakings in contracts issued since October 2011. The new undertakings relate to claims for annual recurrent payments and also possible amendments to contracts due to alterations to the legal framework of the next SRDP. |
Statement of Intent - Guidance for Applicants and Agents
Internal User Guidance for Processing Rural Priority Cases
Online Proposal Guidance for Applicants and Agents | 12 June 2012 | The online guidance for processing Rural Priorities applications has been amended to include a new Sort and Search facility on the Case Documents screen. Screenshots of the new facility are included in the Case Documents section. Further information can be found in the Version Control section of each set of instructions, following the Introduction. |
| SHN Consents and ORC guidance for Case Officers | 30 May 2012 | Significant changes to guidance on SNH consents, for Rural Priorities cases affecting SSSIs. These changes are due to new legislation. |
| Woodland Creation Options | 18 May 2012 | Amendments have been made to two options: Native Woodlands (RP22301D) and Central Scotland Mixed Woodland (RP22301H).
New limits apply to these options regarding the number of hectares that can be applied for. |
| Variation (Abbreviated) desk instructions | 15 May 2012 | Updated desk instruction to include the following changes:- - Update to Section 1.2
- New Section 2.4 - how to insert standard/actual costs
- Inclusion of cross check validation prior to the completion of a variation.
- Restriction removed - a variation can now be captured, completed and issued by the same Case Officer.
- New section to cover the process for varying LPIDs (after a claim has been paid).
- Updated screenshots and text throughout the instruction
|
| Variation Woodland Creation Options desk instructions | 15 May 2012 | Updated desk instruction to include the following changes:-
- Inclusion of Cross check validation prior to the completion of a variation.
- Restriction removed - a variation can now be captured, completed and issued by the same Case Officer.
- New section to cover the process for varying LPIDs (after a claim has been paid).
- Updated screenshots and text throughout the instruction
|
| Variation (Pre-signing) desk instructions | 9 May 2012 | Guidance update. Please see page 3 of the Variation Guidance for amendments. |
| Rural Priorities - How it Works | 17 April 2012 | Amendments to the timing of 2012 applications for Rural Priorities (9) Designated Sites. |
| Water Margins and Enhanced Riparian Buffer Areas | 16 April 2012 | Amendments to Modification 8 relating to pesticide use. |
| Inspections for Claims under RDC-RP | 12 April 2012 | Clarification that Annual Recurrent payments cannot be made until all inspections have been completed. |
| RPAC Assessment and Funding
Decision Making Process | 11 April 2012 | Clarification of grant award relating to budgetary constraints. |
Moorland Stock Disposal
Away-Wintering of Sheep
Off-Wintering of Sheep | 11 April 2012 | The guidance has been amended to reflect the timing of the grant payment. Links to revised Annual Recurrent Payments have been updated. |
| How to Make a Capital Claim | 5 April 2012 | Capital Claim guidance amended to reflect the revised structure of the Claim Form. |
Actual Cost Capital Payments
Standard Cost Capital Payments | 5 April 2012 | Actual Cost and Standard Cost Capital Payments guidance has been simplified. |
| Outcome Plan Claim - Annex 1 | 2 April 2012 | Amended to include revised hyperlink |
| How to make an Annual Recurrent Claim | 30 March 2012 | Instructions altered to reflect inclusion of the RP1 form within the Single Application Form, (question seven). |
| Business Outcome Plan (word) Business Outcome Plan (pdf) Forestry Outcome Plan (word) Forestry Outcome Plan (pdf) | 21 March 2012 | Revised wording to ensure consistency with the Environment Outcome Plan. |
| Quotations Table | 21 March 2012 | Page replacement - removal of reference to leverage |
| Project Expenditure Eligible Costs | 21 March 2012 | Clarification of eligible professional fees |
| Invoice Receipting Requirements for Actual Cost Capital Payments | 19 March 2012 | Clarification on the claimants name on the invoice |
| Staff guidance for online processing of SoI and Proposal OR Proposal with SoI By-pass | 16 March 2012 | Updated desk instructions |
| Annual Recurrent Payments | 16 March 2012 | The RP1 Annual Recurrent claim form is discontinued for RP2012 and Annual Recurrent options should now be claimed on the SAF |
| Claims for outcome plans | 16 March 2012 | The outcome plan guidance has been condensed and the reference to plan type D removed |
| Control of invasive non-native species | 16 March 2012 | The reference to the RP1 claim form has been removed |
| Management / Restoration of Lowland Raised Bogs | 16 March 2012 | The reference to the RP1 claim form has been removed |
| Annual Record of Management for Control of Non-native Invasive Species Option - Grey Squirrel Control for Red Squirrel Conservation | 16 March 2012 | The reference to the RP1 claim form has been removed |
| Annual Record for Away-Wintering and Off-Wintering Options | 16 March 2012 | The reference to the RP1 claim form has been removed |
| Outcome Plan Claim Workflow | 17 February 2012 | Amended to include forestry element |
| Outcome Plan Appendix 1 | 17 February 2012 | Updated to take account of revised invoice and receipting requirements |
| Outcome Plan Appendix 3 | 17 February 2012 | Updated to take account of new location |
| Internal User Back Office Desk Instruction 2 | 10 February 2012 | Update of desk instructions to take account of new validation warnings |
| Argyll Region – Biodiversity Priorities Ayrshire Region – Biodiversity Priorities Borders Region – Biodiversity Priorities Clyde Valley Region – Biodiversity Priorities Forth Region – Biodiversity Priorities Grampian Region – Biodiversity Priorities Highland Region – Biodiversity Priorities Northern Region – Biodiversity Priorities Outer Hebrides Region – Biodiversity Priorities Tayside Region – Biodiversity Priorities | 1 February 2012 | The Supporting Biodiversity Package has been added to Regional Priority 9 and it is now available in all RPAC Regions. |
| Management and Repair of Vernacular Buildings | 1 February 2012 | Clarification of eligible building types to exclude certain types of structure. Clarification of rules relating to the use of this option in conjunction with other Rural Priorities options. |
| Woodland Creation - Central Scotland Mixed Woodland (RP22301H) | 1 February 2012 | Introducing eligibility to allow 50% conifers in specific circumstances |
| Forestry Outcome Plan (Word) Forestry Outcome Plan (PDF) | 1 February 2012 | Amendments to make Outcome Plan clearer for a forestry-specific audience |
| Grazed Grassland for Chough | 1 February 2012 | Clarification about the maximum stocking density of 1LU/ha |
| Management of Hedgerows | 1 February 2012 | Addition of new vole guard capital item |
| Extended Hedges | 1 February 2012 | Addition of new vole guard capital item and replacement of a broken link |
| Grant Rates for Axis 3 Options | 1 February 2012 | Amendment of payment rates in table for Information and Awareness Raising to reflect rates stated in Guidance which was updated 16 June 2011 |
| 1 List of Rural Priorities Options 2 Restructuring Agricultural Businesses 3 Case Officer Porposal Assessment Template - for application submitted after 16 November 2011 4 Formal Scoring - after 16 November 2011 5 The Scoring Process - after 16 November 2011 6 Proposal Assessment Criteria - after 16 November 2011 7 RPAC Assessment and Funding Decision Making Process 8 Assessment Criteria - Additionality 9 Assessment Criteria -Leverage | 30 December 2011 | 1 Addition of specific details for the 2012 assessment rounds 2 Addition of new eligibility criteria 3 New Case Officer Proposal Assessment template 4 New Formal Scoring guidance to be used from 16 November 2011 and new section on ongoing approval for RP9 cases added. 5 New Scoring Process guidance to be used from 16 November 2011 6 New Assessment Criteria guidance to be used from 16 November 2011 7 Clarification on purpose of scoring process 8 16 November 2011 end-date applied to the old guidance see new Assessment Criteria 9 16 November 2011 end-date applied to the old guidance |
| Uplands and Peatland Package Upland Habitat Management Plan Option New Application Guidance for the Upland Habitat Management Plan Option | 19 December 2011 | Inclusion of new Upland Habitat Management Plan Option in Uplands and Peatlands Package New Upland Habitat Management Plan Option New Application Guidance for the Upland Habitat Management Plan Option |
| Management of archaeological or historic sites Local Authority Archaeological Officers Contact Details | 5 December 2011 | Addition of hyperlinks to local authority archaeological officers contact details, Historic Scotland and the Institute of Archaeologists. Update to contact details for local authority archaeological officers. |
| Woodland Creation | 1 December 2011 | Clarity on target area payments |
| Planting in Target Areas | 1 December 2011 | Clarity on target area payment |
| Native Woodland Natural Regeneration | 1 December 2011 | Clarity on target area payment |
| Central Scotland Mixed Woodland | 1 December 2011 | Clarity on planting species composition and presumption against planting on peat >50cm |
| Mixed Conifer/Broadleaved woodlands | 1 December 2011 | Clarity on planting species composition and presumption against planting on peat >50cm |
| Northern & Western Isles Native Woodland | 1 December 2011 | Clarity on planting species composition |
| Productive Broadleaved woodlands | 1 December 2011 | Clarity on planting species composition and presumption against planting on peat >50cm |
| Native woodlands | 1 December 2011 | Clarity on planting species composition and presumption against planting on peat >50cm |
| Productive Conifer (high cost) woodlands | 1 December 2011 | Clarity on planting species composition and presumption against planting on peat >50cm |
| Productive Conifer (low cost) woodlands | 1 December 2011 | Clarity on planting species composition and presumption against planting on peat >50cm |
| Information and Awareness Raising | 1 December 2011 | Correction to the upper limit for capital costs for panels/trail/signage from £5,000 to £50,000 |
| Control of invasive non-natitve species - Rhododendron control | 1 December 2011 | Clarification of Rhododendron infestation categories |
| Setting up Young Farmers - Interest Rate Relief | 1 December 2011 | Change to the claim procedure. A capital claim form will require to be completed and submitted to enable the payment to be made |
| Mapping | 1 December 2011 | Link to ordnance Survey page fixed |
| Capital Claim Checklist - Appendix 8 | 16 November 2011 | New Capital Claim Checklist |
| Capital Claim Cert/Auth Sheet - Appendix 9 | 16 November 2011 | Replacement of Capital Claim Certification and Authorisation Sheet with new Capital Claims Guidance |
| Capital Claim Form Workflow | 16 November 2011 | New Capital Claim Checklist (appendix 8) and replacement of Capital Claim Certification and Authorisation Sheet with new Capital Claims Guidance (appendix 9) |
| Capital Claim Standard Letter Checklist Templates | 16 November 2011 | Page title change to reflect addition of new Capital Claims Guidance |
| Annual recurrent claim S & D Checks | 16 November 2011 | Updates to reflect new validations |
| Collaborative Local Development Strategies | 10 November 2011 | Guidance for the closed Rural Priorities Option Collaborative Local Development Strategies reinstated for reference. |
| Creation and Management of Grassland for Hen Harriers | 4 November 2011 | Introduction of new Option - Creation and Management of Grassland for Hen Harriers |
| 1. How it works 2. How to Apply 3. How to complete the Business Outcome Plan 4. How to complete the Environment Outcome Plan 5. How to Complete the Forestry Outcome Plan 6. Legal and Financial Eligibiltiy Guidance 7. Outcome Plans | 4 November 2011 | 1. Hyperlink added to Outcome Plan page; clarification about application process. 2. Restructured page layout and new section "Before You Apply" 3. Addition of a new Section 5 - Legal and Financial Eligibility 4. Addition of a new Section 4 - Legal and Financial Eligibility 5. New guidance on completing the Forestry Outcome Plan 6. New guidance on completing the Legal and Financial Eligibility section of the Outcome Plans 7. The Business, Environment and Forestry Plans have been updated to include the Legal and Financial Eligibility section. |
| Habitat Grazing Management - Actual Cost Capital item | 4 November 2011 | Clarification that Habitat Grazing can be combined with the Moorland Grazing Options but only where both cattle and sheep are grazing the site. |
| Wildlife Management on Upland and Peatland Sites | 4 November 2011 | Wildlife Management on Upland and Peatland Sites is no longer compatible with the Management of Moorland Grazing on Upland and Peatland Sites |
| Arable Reversion to Grassland Creation and Management of Species-Rich Grassland Mown Grassland for Corn Buntings Grass Margins and Beetlebanks Cropped Machair | 4 November 2011 | Amendments made in light of EC changes. See What's New page for details. |
| Management of Archaeological or Historic Sites Management and Repair of Vernacular Buildings | 4 November 2011 | Comprehensive update of archaeological sites option guidance, including amendments to eligibility criteria and intervention rate Amendment of intervention rate, clarification of rules in relation to own labour costs and insertion of text relating to match funding from Historic Scotland |
| Internal User Back Office Desk Instructions 1 Internal User Back Office Desk Instructions 2 | 11 October 2011 | Screen Shots updated throughout to include Case Validation button. Amendments to Section 6 - Case details. Significant changes thoughout the document. |
| Management and Repair of Vernacular buildings | 3 October 2011 | Comprehensive update of vernacular buildings option guidance. Addition of new Vernacular Building Repair Details Form (PDF and Word) |
| 1. Woodland Creation 2. Native woodlands and associated habitats and species 3. Non-native woodlands and associated habitats and species 4. Running and Standing Waters 5. Reducing Diffuse Pollution 6. Woodland Creation - Northern & Western Isles Native Woodland 7. Woodland Creation - Central Scotland Mixed Woodland | 3 October 2011 | 1, 2 & 3. Amendment to reflect addition of new Woodland Creation - Northern & Western Isles Native Woodland and Central Scotland Mixed Woodland sub-options 4 & 5. Amendment to reflect addition of new Woodland Creation - Northern & Western Isles Native Woodland sub-option 6 & 7. Addition of new pages - Woodland Creation - Northern & Western Isles Native Woodland & Woodland Creation - Central Scotland Mixed Woodland |
| Grazed Grassland for Chough | 3 October 2011 | Addition of a new Option Grazed Grassland for Chough |
| Chough | 3 October 2011 | Addition of a new package to support Chough |
| Chough management | 3 October 2011 | Addition of a new Staff Guidance page on Chough Management Options |
| Mown Grassland For Corncrakes | 3 October 2011 | Amendment to the Mown Grassland for Corncrakes Option to offer support for either chough or corncrake management |
| Birds (except those with own package) | 3 October 2011 | Inclusion of Chough in the Birds package |
| Guidance for Staff | 3 October 2011 | Amendment to reflect addition of Chough management |
| List of Rural Priorities Options | 3 October 2011 | Amendment to reflect addition of Chough management |
| Mown Grassland For Wildlife | 3 October 2011 | Amendment to reflect addition of Chough management to Mown Grassland for Corncrakes Option |
| Creation And Management of Cover For Corncrakes | 3 October 2011 | Amendment to reflect addition of Chough management to Mown Grassland for Corncrakes Option |
| Management Of Cover For Corncrakes | 3 October 2011 | Amendment to reflect addition of Chough management to Mown Grassland for Corncrakes Option |
| Safeguarding and Enhancing the Landscape | 3 October 2011 | Amendment to reflect addition of Chough management to Mown Grassland for Corncrakes Option |
| Machair | 3 October 2011 | Reference to new Chough package in 'Other Support' section |
| Species-rich Grasslands | 3 October 2011 | Amendment to reflect addition of Chough management to Mown Grassland for Corncrakes Option and reference to new Chough package
|
| Corncrakes | 3 October 2011 | Amendment to reflect addition of Chough management to Mown Grassland for Corncrakes Option. |
| Raising Animal Health and Welfare Standards | 3 October 2011 | Amendment to reflect addition of Chough management to Mown Grassland for Corncrakes Option. |
| Grant Rates for Axis 2 Options | 3 October 2011 | Addition of grant rate for new Grazed Grassland for Chough Option and for Chough element of Mown Grassland for Corncrakes or Chough |
| Moorland - Stock Disposal Away-Wintering of Sheep Baseline Flock | 3 October 2011 | Addition of a definition for the baseline flock number for the Away wintering of Sheep and Moorland - Stock Disposal Options |
| Claims for Standard Cost Capital & Actual Cost capital Payments: An Overview Timing for Standard Cost Capital & Actual Cost Capital Payments Claims How to make a Capital Claim | 3 October 2011 | Revised claim dates for 2011 Capital Claims |
| 1. Process for Ongoing Approval of Proposals on Designated Sites (under Regional Priority 9) 2. Case Proforma 3. Rural Priorities Assessment Round Dates | 3 October 2011 | 1 & 2. Addition of requirement for a handwritten signature from SNH Area Managers 3. Link added to page with information on the Ongoing Approval Process |
| How it Works | 7 September 2011 | Update to include nominal deadline and timescales for ongoing approvals |
| Claims for Outcome Plans Outcome Plan Claim Form | 7 September 2011 | Minor corrections to the wording of the guidance Addition of Forestry Outcome Plan tick box |
| Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and Natura features | 1 September 2011 | New payment rates for Rhododendron control apply. An overall maximum payment threshold is introduced. |
| Standard Cost Capital items | 1 September 2011 | Update to capital item rates |
| Woodland clearance - felling to waste Woodland clearance - felling and extraction | 1 September 2011 | Updated Specification and operational guidance on the Woodland Clearance capital items in available under Woodland Improvement Grant Options. |
| Black Grouse | 1 September 2011 | Addition of link to management guidance to show the distribution of black grouse in Scotland |
| Grass Margins and Beetlebanks | 1 September 2011 | Guidance changes relating to previous sterile strip requirement, minimum width of grass margins and pesticides |
| Capercaillie | 1 September 2011 | Addition of link to management guidance to show the distribution of Capercaillie in Scotland |
| Forestry Outcome plan (PDF) Forestry Outcome plan (Word) | 1 September 2011 | Updating Forestry Outcome Plan to include added user guidance in Sections 3.3 and 3.4. |
| Internal User Desk Instruction - Annual Recurrent Claim Data Capture | 19 August 2011 | Corrections/updates to reflect 2011 programme changes. |
| Ongoing Approval Process for Regional Priority 9 (designated sites) Case Proforma | 2 August 2011 | Staff guidance on Ongoing Approval process for Regional Priority 9 cases under £50k Case proforma for Ongoing Approval cases under Regional Priority 9 |
| Capital Items Claim Form Capital Items Claim Form -individual sections | 27 July 2011 | Revised Capital Items Claim Form and hyperlinks to amended section references |
| Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and Natura features | 1 August 2011 | Clarification of overall payment threshold in respect of capital activities supporting action on or adjacent to SSSIs and Natura sites. |
| Woodland Improvement Grant - Woodland Habitats &Species and Non Woodland Habitats | 1 August 2011 | New capital items added and others removed following the March 2011 EU Modification approvals. |
| Woodland Creation - Fencing | 1 August 2011 | Additional Capital items following the March 2011 EU Modification approvals. |
| Quotes and Estimates Quotation Table Match funding and In-kind Contributions | 1 August 2011 | Clarification about VAT and hyperlink to new Quotations Table Addition of new Quotations Table Clarification about letters of support |
| How penalties are calculated for Scheme Rule Breaches | 1 August 2011 | The classification of extent for Annual recurrent Scheme breaches has been simplified by the removal of the 0.5ha criteria. It is now only percentage based. |
| Breaches and Penalties - Group 1 Breach reduction matrix | 1 August 2011 | Correction to penalty rate on page 2. |
| Woodland Creation - Fencing | 1 August 2011 | Additional Capital items following the March 2011 EU Modification approvals. |
| Erosion control | 1 August 2011 | Beneficiaries can now submit interim claims under the Erosion Control Option. Previously they could submit only one claim in any one year. |
| Management of Moorland Grazing | 1 August 2011 | The Management of Moorland Grazing Option can support the continuation of appropriate management. The Option no longer requires applicants to propose a change to management practice. |
| Open Grazed or Wet Grassland for Wildlife | 1 August 2011 | Changes to Pesiticides guidance |
| Staff Guidance for Processing Front Office Cases | 11 July 2011 | Guidance to create a draft SoW and how to withdraw cases at any status |
| Online Proposal Guidance for Applicants and Agents | 11 July 2011 | Online Proposal Guidance updated to include details of improvements made to the IT system |
| Woodland Improvment Grant | 1 July 2011 | Comprehensive updating of Woodland Improvement Grant guidance |
| Sustainable Management of Forests | 1 July 2011 | Comprehensive updating of Sustainable Management of Forests guidance |
| Woodland Creation -Introduction | 1 July 2011 | Complete new version of guidance - comprehensive reworking of the Woodland Creation guidance. |
| Business, Environment and Forestry Outcome Plans Guidance for Case Officers - Forestry Outcome Plans - Interpretation of Legal & Financial Eligibility Information | 1 July 2011 | Guidance on the introduction of a specific forestry outcome plan, for any case with a forestry option. |
| Land Ownership, Control and Withdrawal | 1 July 2011 | Landlord's Consent required for proposal to plant trees on tenanted land under Woodland Creation option |
| Habitat Grazing Management - Actual Cost Capital Item | 1 July 2011 | Habitat Grazing Management has been removed from the list of Rural Priorities Options and it is now presented as an Actual Cost Capital Item. |
| Improving the Economic Value of Forests | 1 July 2011 | Improving Economic Value of Forests option - increase in payment rates for pruning and woodland thinning. |
| Process for Ongoing Approval of Forestry Proposals Ongoing Approval of Forestry Proposals Flowchart | 1 July 2011 | Updating the Ongoing Approval process for Forestry Options following IT enhancements introduced on 16 June 2011. |
| Management of Wetland | 1 July 2011 | This amendment confirms that salt marsh and reed bed are both eligible for this Option |
| Supplementary Food Provision for Raptors | 1 July 2011 | Extends availability of the Supplementary Food for Hen Harriers Option to sites outwith SPAs. Also clarifies maximum payment thresholds. |
| Mammal and Bird Control | 1 July 2011 | Extends availability of the Mammal and Bird Control - Crow Control, allowing it to support the Supplementary Food for Hen Harriers Option |
| Great Crested Newt | 1 July 2011 | Biodiversity Package guidance updated to add a reference to a new Newt leaflet to encourage uptake to appropriate RP Options to benefit Great Crested Newts |
| Diversification Outwith Agriculture | 1 July 2011 | Updated guidance on eligibility for the Feed in Tariff following legislative changes from UK Government. Clarification of energy production capacity conditions. |
| Assessing Mircorenewables - Non Land-Based proposals - Guidance for case officers | 1 July 2011 | Updated guidance on eligibility for the Feed in Tariff following legislative changes from UK Government. |
| Assessing Microrenewables -Agriculture/Forestry proposals - Guidance for Case Officers | 1 July 2011 | Updated guidance on eligibility for the Feed in Tariff following legislative changes from UK Government. |
| Renewable Energy - Forestry | 1 July 2011 | Updated guidance on eligibility for the Feed in Tariff following legislative changes from UK Government. |
| Renewable Energy - Agriculture | 1 July 2011 | Updated guidance on eligibility for the Feed in Tariff following legislative changes from UK Government. |
| Support for Renewable Energy - Non Land-Based | 1 July 2011 | Updated guidance on eligibility for the Feed in Tariff following legislative changes from UK Government. |
| Area Access Management | 16 June 2011 | Clarification of option conditions and suggested costs table added |
| Woodland Improvement Grant - Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and Natura Features | 16 June 2011 | Removal of restriction on making interim claims |
| Information and Awareness Raising | 16 June 2011 | Option updated to deliver Modification 7 changes |
| Tayside Region - Business Viability and Competitiveness Tayside Region - Diversification of Rural Enterprise | 16 June 2011 | More details added to Tayside Regional Priorities 2 & 27 |
| Rural Priorities - How it works How to apply Proposal Proposal Assesment RPAC Assesment and Funding Decision Making Process Role of the Case Officer | 16 June 2011 | Information about the new ongoing approval process for Regional Priority 9 cases (SSI / Natura Sites) |
| Coastal, Serpentine or Special Interest Heath Create, Restore and Manage Wetland Extended Hedges Wild Bird Seed Mix/Unharvested Crop Mown Grassland For Wildlife Mown Grassland For Corn Buntings Management/Restoration of Lowland Raised Bogs Management of Species-Rich Grassland Management of Cover For Corncrakes Management of Ancient Wood Pasture Buffer Areas for Fens and Lowland Raised Bogs Creation and Management of Cover For Corncrakes Management of Habitat Mosaics Management of Hedgerows Scrub and Tall Herb Communities | 10 June 2011 | Amendments to pesticides guidance. |
| Agri-environment Standard Payment Rates for Capital items Heather management in black Grouse and Capercaillie core areas | 10 June 2011 | Addition of Vole Guard and amendments to Heather Restoration capital items. |
| Moorland - Stock Disposal | 10 June 2011 | Stock disposal Option amendment to deliver Modification 7 changes. |
| Control of invasive non-native species Control of invasive non-native species - rhododendron control | 10 June 2011 | Amendment to the Rhododendron control element of the control of non-native species Option to deliver Modification 7 changes. |
| Sites of Special Scientific Interest and Natura Features | 6 June 2011 | SSI 2011/106 - removes restriction to make only one claim per year and allows claims to be made in the same way that all other Actual Cost Capital Items are made. |
| Statement of Intent Application Guidance - Applicant and Agent Online Proposal Guidance | 9 May 2011 | Update for Applicants and Agents to incorporate the launch of electronic case storage on 9 May 2011. Information provided on how to add/view/print case documents along with changes to screen shots throughout. |
| Assessment Criteria - Contribution to National Targets | 6 May 2011 | Addition of new national target for organic conversion and maintenance. |
| Succession Guidance | 5 May 2011 | Additional sentence to be added to Incomer and Outgoer sections about manual claims. |
| Mammal and Bird Control - Annual Record Forms | 4 May 2011 | New Annual Record of Management Forms to support the Mammal and Bird Control Option guidance |
| Control of invasive non-native species | 4 May 2011 | New Annual Record of Management Form to support the Control of Invasive Non Native Species Option guidance. |
| Diversification Outwith Agriculture | 4 May 2011 | Updated guidance on impact of the Feed In Tariff and Renewable Heat Incentive |
| Away-Wintering of Sheep Off-Wintering of Sheep | 4 May 2011 | Add link to new page Annual Record for Away-Wintering and Off-Wintering Options |
| Annual Record for Away-Wintering and Off-Wintering Options | 4 May 2011 | New Annual Record of Management for Away-Wintering and Off-Wintering of Sheep |
| List of Rural Priorities Options | 13 April 2011 | Remove information about autumn 2010 assessment round |
| Internal User Back Office Desk Instruction - Claim Unlock | 12 April 2011 | Several minor spelling and formatting corrections to guidance |
| Appeals | 11 April 2011 | Replace link to the Agricultural Subsidies Regulations with new link to EU Rural Payment Appeal Procedure |
| Renewable Energy - Agriculture Renewable Energy - Forestry Support for Renewable Energy - Non Land-Based | 1 April 2011 | Updated guidance on eligibility for the Renewable Heat Incentive. |
| Clyde Valley Region - Water & Soil Clyde Valley Region - Public Access | 1 April 2011 | Amendments to correct broken hyperlinks and clarification on certain regional priorities. |
| Internal User Back Office - Desk Instructions - Part 1 Internal User Back Office Desk Instructions - Part 2 Internal User - Online Guidance - Processing SoI or Proposal bypas cases in Fron Office | 1 April 2011 | Updates to incorporate electronic case storage information and changes to screen shots throughout. |
| Rural Priorities - How it Works Process for Ongoing Approval of Forestry Proposals Ongoing Approval for all Forestry Proposals - Flowchart | 29 March 2011 | Removing the financial limits of the Ongoing Approval process for Forestry Options. |
| Internal User Back Office - Desk Instructions - Variation (Pre-signing) | 29 March 2011 | Updated desk instruction to include information about variations to Woodland creation Options. Replaced out-dated screen shots and removed references to restrictions that no longer exist. |
| Internal User Back Office - Desk Instructions - Variation (signed) | 29 March 2011 | Updated desk instruction to include information about variations to Woodland creation Options. Replaced out-dated screen shots and removed references to restrictions that no longer exist. |
| Internal User Back Office - Desk Instructions - Variation (Abbreviated) | 29 March 2011 | Updated instruction to remove references to not being able to carry out Woodland Creation Option variations. Updated screen dumps to include the Vary Woodland Creation button in Section 3. Removed references to the restrictions for Phase 1 variations as they no longer apply |
| Definitions of Land Type | 29 March 2011 | In-bye Land useful references. |
| Internal User Back office -Desk Instructions - Variations to Woodland Creation Options | 28 March 2011 | New Desk Instructions on variations to Woodland Creation Options |
| Annual Recurrent claim form 2011 (RP1) | 24 March 2011 | 2011 Annual Recurrent claim form (RP1) is now available. |
| Management of Hedgerows | 22 March 2011 | Temporary suspension of Management of Hedgerows option |
| Woodland Improvement Grant | 15 March 2011 | Removal of capital item restrictions within Woodland Improvement Grant option. |
| Assessment Criteria - Leverage | 10 March 2011 | Amendment to explain that to score "High" under Leverage, the works must be eligible for RP funding and meet the eligibility requirements under the Options which have been selected. |
| Publicity | 10 March 2011 | Publicity guidance page has been moved to the 'How it works' page. |
| Muirburn and Heather Swiping | 9 March 2011 | Note added about muirburn width; clarification about online proposal. |
| Rural Priorities - Contracts | 9 March 2011 | Various amendments to the guidance as required by the Audit Response Task Force |
| Water Margins and Enhanced Riparian Buffer Areas | 9 March 2011 | Amendment to address Audit Response Task Force request about margin for still water |
| Guidance for Staff | 9 March 2011 | Removal of some of the Listed Building Consent information from the Historic Scotland Consents web guidance page to reduce duplication |
| Scheduled Monument Consent - Guidance for Case Officers | 9 March 2011 | Amendment of page title - previously 'Historic Scotland Consents Guidance' |
| Consulting Local Authorities | 9 March 2011 | Addition of Listed Building Consent information and amendment to information on contracts and planning permission |
| Capital Claim Form Workflow Appendix 8 | 7 March 2011 | Addition of requirement to carry out Eligibility Backcheck. |
| Woodland Creation | 4 March 2011 | Introducing maximum areas for the targeted planting rates in the Northern and Western Isles |
| Provision and Upgrading of Infrastructure Restructuring Agricultural Businesses Manure/Slurry Storage Manure/Slurry Treatment Treat Run-Off Pollutants - Biobeds Treat Run-Off Pollutants - Farm Wetlands Renewable Energy - Agriculture | 4 March 2011 | Clarification on Young Farmer Premium to fulfil an audit requirement from the Audit Response Task Force. Hyperlinks replaced. |
| Setting up Young Farmers - Interest Rate Relief | 4 March 2011 | Addition of requirement to provide proof of who the main partner is as an audit requirement from the Audit Response Task Force. |
| Development of other Rural Businesses Improving Rural Community Services | 11 February 2011 | Link to Skills Development to Improve Quality of Life option from Package 35 and Package 36 pages. |
| Who can apply? | 7 February 2011 | Clarifying local authority and public body eligibility and distribution of funds. |
| Annual Recurrent Payment: An Overview | 1 February 2011 | Removal of Annual Recurrent Claims update section. |
| Allocation of Capital Inspections | 1 February 2011 | Removal of date from title of page, other minor amendments to the text. |
| Woodland Creation | 14 January 2011 | Introducing new Target Areas for woodland creation that are eligible for an additional 10% woodland creation capital item intervention rate. |
| Variation Request Form | 14 January | New template sheet for processing variations |
| Back office Desk Instructions RDC Variation (Abbreviated) | 7 January 2011 | Addition of the Variation Desk Instructions (Abbreviated) |
| Variation guidance | 7 January 2011 | Simplification of the Variation guidance. |
| Manure/Slurry Storage | 6 January 2011 | Update to reflect the deadline for completion of slurry storage facilities by 31 December 2011. |
| Capital works required for SSSI and Natural Features | 21 December 2010 | To implement Modification 6 and SSI 2010/87. |
| Timing for Standard and Actual Cost Capital Claims | 17 December 2010 | Correction on claims for the woodland creation - natural regeneration option. |
| Woodland Creation | 16 December 2010 | Clarifying double funding issue of Farmland Premium and Single Farm Payment |
| Claims for Annual Recurrent Payment: An Overview | 16 December 2010 | Claims for Annual Recurrent Payment: An Overview - Update to the current position of 2009 Annual Recurrent Claims . |
| Axis 2 Codes | 9 December 2010 | Addition of missing Options and Capital Items. |
| Project Expenditure Eligible Costs | 9 December 2010 | Clarifying the costs for roads, accommodation projects and activity which is condition of planning permission. |
| Erosion Control | 9 December 2010 | Further amendment to implement Modification 6 and SSI 2010/87 which provides further details about the requirements for undertaking this capital item |
| De Minimis - Annex A | 08 December 2010 | New page |
| How to assess if de minimis State Aid applies | 08 December 2010 | Change of title & existing document replaced |
| State Aid - Restrictions for Rural Priorities funding | 08 December 2010 | Change of title & existing document replaced |
| Support for Renewable Energy - Non Land-Based Renewable Energy - Forestry Renewable Energy - Agriculture | 22 November 2010 | Guidance added on likely eligibility requirements for the Renewable Heat Incentive |
| Quotes and Estimates | 22 November 2010 | Clarification about competitive quotes - must be obtained before contract issued. |
| Woodland Creation | 22 November 2010 | Introduction of an additional 10% intervention rate for Woodland Creation proposals for Argyll Islands and Central Scotland Green Network areas as approved in the recent New Challenges Modification. |
| Match Funding and In-Kind Contributions | 18 November 2010 | Duplicated guidance to be removed. |
| Erosion Control | 5 November 2010 | To implement Modification 6 and SSI 2010/87 which provides further details about the requirements for undertaking this capital item. |
| Open range deer management to enhance the natural heritage | 5 November 2010 | To implement Modification 6 and SSI 2010/87. |
| RP Capital Claims checklist - Appendix 8 and Capital claim workflow | 29 October 2010 | Minor amendments and corrections to Capital Claim checklist. |
| Landscape | 29 October 2010 | Additions to the Ayrshire Landscape Regional Priorities, as requested by SNH. |
| Claims for Annual Recurrent Payment: An Overview | 28 October 2010 | Amendment to figures on annual recurrent 2009 claims. |
| Support for Renewable Energy - Non Land-Based Renewable Energy - Forestry Renewable Energy - Agriculture | 19 October 2010 | Updated position on SRDP Grants and Feed-in Tariffs |
| Wildlife Management on Upland and Peatland Sites Scrub and Tall Herb Communities Woodland Creation Sustainable Management of Forests Woodland Improvement Grant Deer fence | 19 October 2010 | Amendments to make reference to the inter-agency fencing guidance |
| Restructuring Agricultural Businesses | 14 October 2010 | Clarification about unsuitability of this Option for storage and handling of manure and slurry. |
| 1. Claims for Outcome Plans 2. Claims for Standard Cost Capital & Actual Cost Capital Payments: an Overview 3. How to make a capital claim 4. Timing for Standard Cost Capital & Actual Cost Capital Payments Claims | 14 October 2010 | 1. Amendment to out of date guidance on Outcome Plan claims 2. Clarification about claims for Standard Cost Capital & Actual Cost Capital Payments 3. Amendment to out of date guidance on Capital claims 4. Amendment to out of date guidance on Standard Cost Capital & Actual Cost Capital Payments |
| Assessment Criteria - Contribution to National Targets Assessment Criteria - Contribution to National Targets PDF | 28 September 2010 | Addition of new National Target to reduce diffuse pollution. |
| Claims for Annual Recurrent Payment: An Overview | 28 September 2010 | Update on annual recurrent 2009 claims |
| Types of Breach and Applicable Penatlies How penalties are calculated for Scheme Rule Breaches How are penalties calculated for Rural Priorites contract breaches How penalties are calculated for over-claims | 23 September 2010 | Clarification about intentional breaches |
| Away-Wintering of Sheep Off-Wintering of Sheep | 23 September 2010 | Update to explain the need for beneficiaries to submit an annual record of management |
| Collaborative Local Development Strategies Community Services & Facilites | 23 September 2010 | These are no longer available through Rural Priorities |
| Capital Claim Processing - Internal user desk instructions | 6 September | Updated Desk Instructions to support changes for Capital Claim PSP (Phase 2) |
| Support for Renewable Energy - Non land-Based Renewable Energy - Forestry Renewable Energy - Agriculture | 6 September 2010 | Wording made clearer in regard to requirement for larger biomass boilers to be on ETL list. |
| Mechanised (and/or chemical) eradication of rhododendron | 6 September 2010 | Clarifying the specification details for the Mechanised/Chemical Eradication of Rhododendron capital cost item by removing references to manual eradication methods. |
| Claims for Annual Recurrent Payment: An Overview | 6 September 2010 | Addition to highlight changes to the claim form guidance made on 26 August. |
| Setting Up Young Farmers - Interset Rate Relief | 6 September 2010 | Update current Undertakings doc to reflect ineligibility of limited companies |
| Variation Guidance update - When changes can be made | 31 August 2010 | Guidance on need to claim work in scheduled year or request a variation by deadline |
| Capital Items Claim Form | 26 August 2010 | Clarification on the definition of "A Non-trading person or organisation" and amendment to procedures when submitting fully receipted invoices. |
| Capital Items Claim From (section 1 & 2) | 26 August 2010 | Clarification on the definition of "A Non-trading person or organisation." |
| Capital Items Claim From (section 4) | 26 August 2010 | Amendment to procedures when submitting fully receipted invoices. |
| Changes to Rural Priorities - Q & A | 19 August 2010 | Clarification about the transfer of CSF to LEADER and addition of a question about support for young farmers |
| List of Rural Priorities Options | 19 August 2010 | Clarification that only Axis 1 and Axis 3 applications will be deferred until 2011 |
| Assessment of a Submitted Proposal | 18 August 2010 | Confirmation that supporting documentation should be submitted within 5 calendar days of submitting a Proposal |
| Invoice Receipting Requirements for Actual Cost Capital Payments | 13 August 2010 | Amendment to procedures when submitting fully receipted invoices |
| Provision of state aid Assessment sheet for case officers | 11 August 2010 | Provision of state aid - example of what to record on file |
| Native woodlands and assosociated habitats and species | 5 August 2010 | Sustainable Management of Forests - Controlled Livestock Grazing Option |
| List of Options | 3 August 2010 | Note about changes to Rural Priorities announced on 3 August 2010 |
| Community Services and Facilities | 3 August 2010 | Community Services and Facilities Option is closed to Rural Priorities applications and has been transferred to LEADER |
| Woodland Creation | 29 July 2010 | Additional explanation that the woodland creation grant rates include costs associated with ground preparation activites and the use of tree shelters as tree protection. |
| Heather Restoration Woodland Improvement Grant | 29 July 2010 | Revision of Heather Restoration standard cost capital item to reflect the addition of heather management activities within Woodlands in Capercaillie Core Areas. |
| Guidance/Checklist for Case Officers Assessing Community and Non-Profit Organisation Cases | 23 July 2010 | New checklist for community groups applications. |
| Support for Renewable Energy - Non Land-Based Renewable Energy - Forestry Renewable Energy - Agriculture Guidance for case officers - Assessing Mircorenewable Non land based Proposals & Agri/Forestry Proposals | 22 July 2010 | Wording made clearer in regard to the likely impacts of the Feed in Tariff on grants. |
| Biodiversity Cropping on In-Bye | 21 July 2010 | Clarification on the separation of plots. |
| Process for Ongoing Approval of Forestry Proposals & Flowchart | 21 July 2010 | Changes to reflect recent improvements to draft Schedule of Works availability and introduction of recent checklists. |
| Woodland Creation Undertakings | 14 July 2010 | Change in undertakings for Farmland Premium |
| Claims for Standard Cost Capital & Actual Cost Capital Payments: an Overview | 7 July 2010 | Remove references to 2009 to keep up to date for the rest of the scheme |
| Organic Standards | 7 July 2010 | Fix broken link to DEFRA web pages on organic legislation and standards |
| Support for Renewable Energy - Non-Land Based Renewable Energy - Forestry Renewable Energy - Agriculture Axis 3 Support for Renewable Energy - Non-Land Based Axis 1 Renewable Agri/Forestry Proposals | 1 July 2010 | Wording updated with reagrd to the likely impacts of the Feed in Tariff on grants |
| Rural Priorities - Proposal | 27 May 2010 | Amendment to include new 5 day supporting document submission deadline |
| Sustainable Management of Forests | 25 June 2010 | Introducing a new link to technical guidance on Sustainable Management of Forests eligible operations. |
| Arable Reversion to Grassland | 25 June 2010 | Clarification about suitable grass mix and examples of nectar plants. |
| Management of Species-Rich Grassland | 25 June 2010 | Ensuring consistency between Eligibility criteria and inspections/verification guidance |
| Wardening for Golden Eagles | 23 June 2010 | Option is no longer available following EC scrutiny. |
| Guidance for RDC - Back Office - Variation pre-signed Guidance for RDC - Back Office Variation signed | 18 June 2010 | The Variation Desk Instructions have been split into 2 parts - pre-signed and signed. |
| Management/Restoration of Lowland Raised Bogs Guidance for Land Managers - monitoring of lowland raised bogs | 16 June 2010 | Addition of hyperlinks to increase awareness of the need to submit annual monitoring reports with claim |
| Guidance for RDC - Rural Priorities - Case Files | 16 June 2010 | Correct Appendix 4 to read Appendix 5 |
| Wildlife Management on Upland and Peatland Sites Scrub and Tall Herb Communities Woodland Creation Sustainable Management of Forests Woodland Improvement Grant Deer Fence | 16 June 2010 | Amendments to make reference to the inter-agency fencing guidance |
| Organic Viability Proposal form Organic Viability Proposal: guidance notes | 11 June 2010 | Amended organic viability proposal template and guidance |
| Annual Recurrent Claim S & D Checks | 8 June 2010 | Updated Desk Instruction to support Annual Recurrent Claims - S & D Checks |
| Proposal - Appendices | 8 June 2010 | Fix broken link to Landlord Notification Form and minor corrections to wording |
| Assessment Criteria - Contribution to National Targets | 8 June 2010 | Caveat added to fifth National Target to clarify Option requirements. |
| Nutrient Management Plan Soil and Water Management Programme | 8 June 2010 | Note to say that Options are no longer available to new applicants. |
| Allocation of Annual Recurrent Inspections | 2 June 2010 | Various corrections and clarifications and some formatting changes. Section on manual process for capital inspections removed. |
| Allocation of Capital Inspections | 2 June 2010 | Various corrections and clarifications and some formatting changes. Section on manual process for capital inspections removed. |
| Community Services and Facilities | 21 May 2010 | Detailing information requirements for the option |
| Monitoring of lowland raised bogs | 21 May 2010 | Link to Annual Record of Management document added. |
| Proposal Assessment Criteria | 11 May 2010 | Replace existing PDF so that it is up to date with online guidance |
| Assessment Criteria - Contribution to National Targets | 10 May 2010 | Various clarifications and an additional target added |
| Setting up Young Farmers - Interest Rate Relief | 10 May 2010 | Several clarifications and examples added to Option Guidance |
| Timing and Scheme Year Rules for Annual Recurrent Payment Claims | 28 April 2010 | Clarification on the timing of annual recurrent claims for 'winter' options |
| Conversion to and Maintenance of Organic Farming | 28 April 2010 | Definition of 'approval letter' under 'Eligibility for the Conversion Option' |
| Off-Wintering of Sheep | 28 April 2010 | Link to guidance on timing of annual recurrent claim submission |
| Mown Grassland for Wildlife | 28 April 2010 | Guidance on the timing of FYM or slurry application |
| Moorland - Stock Disposal | 28 April 2010 | Calculation of the area of moorland to benefit and guidance on timing of claim submission |
| Water Margins and Enhanced Riparian Buffer Areas | 28 April 2010 | Deleted reference to Nitrate Vulnerable Zones (NVZ) under 'Eligibility Criteria' |
| Management of Species-Rich Grassland | 28 April 2010 | Clarification on eligibility criteria for Management of Species-rich Grassland option |
| Management/Restoration of Lowland Raised Bogs | 28 April 2010 | Suggestion that applicant adopts management of Buffer areas for fens and lowland raised bog option |
| Management of Habitat Mosaics | 28 April 2010 | Clarifying what is an eligible site for this option |
| Management of Flood Plains - What is a River Floodplain? | 27 April 2010 | New page entitled: What is a river floodplain? |
| Grazing Management of Cattle | 27 April 2010 | An explanation of what is meant by 'keeping' cattle |
| Grass Margins and Beetlebanks | 27 April 2010 | Land left fallow is not an eligible crop |
| Fence removal | 27 April 2010 | Added guidance on eligibility of the fence removal standard cost capital item |
| Biodiversity Cropping on In-Bye | 27 April 2010 | Added paragraph about post-harvest grazing to the 'What you can do' section |
| Away-Wintering of Sheep | 27 April 2010 | Added link to guidance about timing of annual recurrent claim |
| Woodland Improvement Grant | 27 April 2010 | Clarification that applicant must provide planting material records. |
| General Undertakings | 27 April 2010 | Update current Undertakings doc to reflect changes that occurred in October 2009 |
| Land Ownership, Control and Withdrawal | 27 April 2010 | Land ownership and occupancy or secure tenancy must be in place by commit date. |
| Collaborative Local Development Strategies | 16 April 2010 | Existing CLDS contracts will still be dealt with through Rural Priorities. |
| Annual Recurrent claim Data Capture | 16 April 2010 | Updated Desk Instruction to Support Annual Recurrent Claims - Data Capture |
| Annual Recurrent claim S & D Checks | 16 April 2010 | Updated Desk Instruction to Support Annual Recurrent Claims - S & D Checks |
| Woodland Creation | 09 April 2010 | Guidance to Woodland Creation Native Woodland option to clarify that applicant must provide seed certificates in support of claims made for native woodland planting |
| Soil and Water Management Programme Restructuring Agricultural Businesses Manure/Slurry Treatment Manure/Slurry Storage Renewable Energy - Agriculture Provision and Upgrading of Infrastructure Treat Run-Off of Pollutants - Biobeds Treat Run-Off of Pollutants - Farm Wetlands | 08 April 2010 | Correction to text in Rate of Support Section - 'submitting' replaced with 'committing' and correction of spelling/formatting |
| Community Services and Facilities | 08 April 2010 | Clarifying that renewables and access projects should apply under other options |
| Axis 2 codes | 30 March 2010 | Updated 2010 Option Codes for Axis 2 |
| Collaborative Local Development Strategies Packages:- Value Added Processing Development of Renewable energy provision Development of other Rural Businesses Improving Rural Community Services Access Recreation and Community Development | 29 March 2010 | Notification that Collaborative Local Development Strategies option is no longer available through Rural Priorities |
| Prevent Progress desk instructions | 29 March 2010 | New desk instructions explaining Prevent Progress process |
| Clyde Valley Region - Water & Soil | 29 March 2010 | Regional Priority Code CLY16 - removal of reference to '1a' category - replaced with definition |
| Manure/Slurry Storage Manure/Slurry Treatment Grant Rates for Axis 1 Options | 29 March 2010 | Rates for slurry or manure storage/treatment increased by 10% |
| Sustainable Management of Forests | 24 March 2010 | Clarification of ruling for Short Rotation Forestry operation |
| Woodland Improvement Grant | 24 March 2010 | Clarification of ruling for Short Rotation Forestry operation |
| Role of the Case Officer | 24 march 2010 | New guidance regarding proposals being recommended for rejection |
| 2010 Annual Recurrent Claim form and Information leaflet | 23 March 2010 | Guidance updated to reflect the 2010 Annual Recurrent Scheme year, including processing and standard letters & checklists |
| Dumfries & Galloway - Business Viability and Competitiveness Biodiversity Landcape Public Access Diversification of Rural Enterprises | 18 March 2010 | To clarify the priorities for Dumfries & Galloway as there are double negatives within the text. |
| Ayrshire - Diversification of Rural Enterprise | 18 March 2010 | Package numbers added to regional priority AYR30. |
| Woodland Improvement Grant | 18 March 2010 | Clarifying how an applicant can apply for Standard Cost and/or Actual Cost capital items for SSSI/Natura sites within Woodland Improvement Grant options. |
| Woodland Creation | 18 March 2010 | Slight change to abandoned land definition. New table to clarify annual recurrent grants eligible per land category. Change to deadline date for capital claim submissions that are associated with annual recurrent grants. Native woodland to be planted with species and provenance appropriate to the site. |
| Timing and Scheme Year Rules for Annual Recurrent Payment Claims | 18 March 2010 | European Commission has now formally approved the extension of the planting deadline to 30 June. |
| List of Options under Axis 3 | 16 March 2010 | Guidance inserted in 'Rate of Support' sections to refer to potential State Aid restrictions - Area Access Management, Collaborative Local Development Strategies, Community Services and Facilities, Development/Creation of Micro-Enterprises, Diversification Outwith Agriculture, Information & Awareness Raising, Management and Repair of Vernacular Buildings, Management of Archaeological or Historical Sites, Skills Development to Improve Quality of Life and Support for Renewable Energy - Non Land-Based |
| Internal User Back Office Desk Instruction Part 1 | 10 March 2010 | Desk instruction updated to include 'Viewing the Draft Schedule of Works' |
| Guidance for Staff | 10 March 2010 | New bullet point inserted under Back Office Desk Instruction Part 1 - 'Viewing the Draft Schedule of Works' |
| How it Works | 4 March 2010 | Examples of what to Record on file. Page currently under revision. |
| How it Works | 4 March 2010 | Amendments to guidance to clarify certain areas in State Aid Criteria |
| How it Works | 4 March 2010 | Amendments to guidance to clarify certain areas in Staff State Aid Guidance |
| How it Works | 4 March 2010 | Amendments to guidance to clarify certain areas in State Aid - Impact of Funding for Rural Priorities |
| Guidance for Staff | 4 March 2010 | Application and Claim Files - revised file name convention guidance in the SNH appendix |
| Guidance for Staff | 4 March 2010 | New Information Request Form for Non FCS Case Officers dealing with Woodland Creation |
| Guidance for Staff | 25 February 2010 | Update to Variations Guidance - links inserted to other Variations Guidance pages |
| How it Works | 25 February 2010 | Update to Variations Guidance - original pdf replaced |
| Internal User Desk Instructions - Capital Claim Processing | 25 February 2010 | Desk Instruction to support Capital Claim Processing |
| Internal User Desk Instructions - Capital Claim Data Capture | 25 February 2010 | Desk instructions updated. |
| Business Viability & Competitiveness Page 2 of 2 | 24 February 2010 | Add package number 10 to option 7b |
| Coastal Habitats - except Machair | 24 February 2010 | New hyperlink added Conversion and maintenance of organic farming |
| Machair | 24 February 2010 | New hyperlink added Conversion and maintenance of organic farming |
| Improved Water Resource Management | 24 February 2010 | New hyperlink added Conversion and maintenance of organic farming |
| Value Added Processing | 24 February 2010 | New hyperlink added Conversion and maintenance of organic farming |
| Timing for Standard Cost Capital & Actual Cost Capital Payments Claims | 24 February 2010 | Amendment advising late 2009 Capital claims acceptable |
| Claims for Standard Cost Capital & Actual Cost Capital Payments: an Overview | 24 February 2010 | Amendment advising late 2009 Capital claims acceptable |
| Publicity | 24 February 2010 | Expanding guidance on the regulatory requirement to acknowledge EU funding for operations over €50,000 or over €500,000, including annual recurrent options under Axis 2. |
| Guidance for Staff | 17 February 2010 | Changes to Variations Guidance. Variations Guidance - original pdf replaced. Variation Desk Instructions pdf replaced and renamed Variations Processing Instructions. New pages created Back Office Desk Instructions - RDC Variation and Variation Request Form. |
| How It Works | 17 February 2010 | Amendments made to How It Works page and associated links thereafter as a result of changes newly announced that increase the financial limit within Ongoing Approval Process of Forestry Proposals for Woodland Creation options. |
| Statement of Intent Application Guidance - Applicants and Agents | 11 February 2010 | Sections 4.2 & 7 have been amended. Sections 5.2, 5.3 and 5.4 have been added. |
| Tayside | 11 February 2010 | 'Organic Conversion' changed to 'Organic Conversion and Maintenance' on Biodiversity (TAY12). |
| Clyde Valley | 11 February 2010 | Removal of reference to Organic Action Plan from Business Viability and Competitiveness Priorities page 2 (CLY07b). |
| Forth | 11 February 2010 | Removal of reference to Organic Action Plan from Business Viability and Competitiveness Priorities page 2 (FOR07b). 'Organic Conversion' changed to 'Organic Conversion and Maintenance' on Diversification of Rural Enterprise (FOR26b). |
| Ayrshire | 11 Februrary 2010 | Removal of reference to Organic Action Plan for Business Viability and Competitiveness Priorities page 2 (AYR07b). Removal of reference to Organic Conversion from Diversification of Rural Enterprise (AYR26b). |
| Guidance on filing Application and Claim Case files | 5 February 2010 | Revised version. |
| Online guidance, processing cases in Front Office with SoI and Proposal or Proposal with SoI by-pass | 5 February 2010 | Addition of Applications - Overview screen details at Section 2.0. Change to Section 3.0 to insert details on How to Access the Case List. Section numbers all changed to take account of new information |
| Proposal Assessment Criteria | 5 February 2010 | Addition of generic sentence (taken from leverage guidance) to Assessment Criteria home page. |
| Project Expenditure Eligible costs | 1 February 2010 | Links to the claims guidance |
| Match funding and In-Kind contributions | 1 February 2010 | Replacing SCHRI with CARES |
| Collaborative Local Development Strategies | 1 February 2010 | Update on proposed move to LEADER. |
| SOI User guidance for Applicants & Agents | 29 January 2010 | The "when" paragraph in Section 1 has been updated with additional clarification on claim years |
| Assessment Criteria | 29 January 2010 | 3 sub pages replaced - Added Value,Meeting Demand & Contribution to National Targets. Assessment criteria pdf updated. |
| Using Option Codes when making a Claim | 29 January 2010 | Additional sections to reflect that from 20 January 2010, option codes will be displayed on the Schedule of Works |
| Payments, Penalties and Recovery | 28 January 2010 | All guidance updated and placed on main SRDP website |
| Annual Recurrent claim S & D Checks | 25 January 2010 | New desk instruction to support Annual Recurrent Claims - S & D Checks |
| Annual Recurrent claim processing | 25 January 2010 | New desk instruction to support Annual Recurrent Claims - Processing |
| Annual Recurrent Claim Data Capture | 25 January 2010 | New desk instruction to support Annual Recurrent Claims - data capture |
| Community Services and Facilities | 20 January 2010 | Clarifying definitions of used by and benefit to the local community. |
| Management of Ancient Wood Pasture | 20 January 2010 | Addition of link to forestry webpage |
| Statement of Intent (SOI) Application Guidance | 24 December 2009 | Update the 5Ws guidance in line with the cook report. |
| Statement of Intent | 24 December 2009 | Update the 5Ws guidance in line with the cook report. |
| Grant Rates for Axis 2 Options | 17 December 2009 | Update of payment rates |
| Off Wintering of Sheep | 16 December 2009 | Deletion of provision for shorter period of off wintering |
| Mammal and Bird Control | 16 December 2009 | Addition of 'Multi-catch ladder traps' to list of eligible capital items |
| Payment Rate for Standard Cost Capital | 16 December 2009 | Updated payment rates |
| Timing for Standard Cost Capital & Actual Cost Capital Payment Claim | 16 December 2009 | Revised deadline for receipt of supporting documentation |
| Timing and Scheme Year Rules for Annual Recurrent Payment Claims | 09 December 2009 | To clarify the ARG rules associated with the example of Woodland Creation Natural Regeneration Option provided |
| Back Office Desk Instruction - Part 2 | 08 December 2009 | Updated Back Office desk instructions, now to version 4.0. "Return to Stage 3" functionality now included |
| Desk Instruction - Capital Claim | 08 December 2009 | Updated desk instructions, now to version 1.2 |
| Mammal and Bird Control | 08 December 2009 | Confirmation of distance from Lek sites |
| Consultation and Public Register Requirements - Woodland Creation (including Short Rotation Coppice) | 08 December 2009 | Update of guidance for 'forestry' RDC-RP cases |
| Woodland Creation | 08 December 2009 | Addition of link to technical guidance on native woodland habitat networks |
| Capital Items Claim Form | 07 December 2009 | Revised Claim Form |
| Nutrient Management Plan | 26 November 2009 | Correction to web links to the 4 Point-Plan in the Nutrient Management Plan Option Guidance. |
| Woodland Creation | 26 November 2009 | Amendment to guidance text. |
| Improving the Econmic Value of Forests | 24 November 2009 | 'Who Can Apply' The eligibility criteria of a minimum area of 30 hectares is to be reduced to 1 hectare. |
| Manure/Slurry Treatment | 24 November 2009 | Update to Option guidance, to include 51%rule. |
| Timing and Scheme Year Rules for Annual Recurrent Payment Claims | 24 November 2009 | Update to Option guidance, first afforestation rule. |
| Selecting your RPAC region | 24 November 2009 | Clarification for applications which cover more than 1 RPAC region. |
| Desk Instruction - Capital Claim | 24 November 2009 | Updated Desk instructions. |
| Community Services and Facilities | 19 November 2009 | SOIs and Proposals will continue to be progressed through Rural Priorities for the time being. |
| Capital Claims Checklist - Appendix 8 | 17 November 2009 | Update to Capital Claims Checklist - Appendix 8 |
| Management and Repair of Vernacular buildings | 16 November 2009 | Updated links |
| VAT and Claims | 16 November 2009 | Clarification amendment only for claims including VAT |
| Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and Natura features | 10 November 2009 | Clarification on when capital items under this Measure 216 item are to be claimed (and scheduled in the Schedule of Works) |
| Various | 10 November 2009 | The Woodland Creation Option guidance, the Woodland Improvement Grant Option guidance, the Improving the Economic value of Forests Option guidance and the guidance associated with Agri-Environment Standard Cost Capital Items list have all been updated to take into account the following which resulted from the approval of the Statutory Instrument on 7 November. Full details can be found on the What's New pages or within the individual guidance pages. |
| Mammal and Bird Control | 10 November 2009 | Addition of a link to Black grouse package guidance from the Mammal and Bird Control web guidance page. |
| Land ownership and Control | 10 November 2009 | Clarifying the arrangements for community groups. |
| Support for Diversification Outwith Agriculture | 04 November 2009 | Deletion of diversification measure under 'What Costs could be Supported' |
| RPAC Payment Rates | 04 November 2009 | Clarifying changes to Community Services and Facilities option |
| Land Ownership, Control and Withdrawal | 03 November 2009 | Clarifying the arrangements and agreements needed for work on other people's land |
| Project Expenditure Eligible Costs | 03 November 2009 | Clarifying conditions on previous funding for land real estate purchase and including planning permission fees |
| Schedule of Rates for Machinery and Labour | 27 October 2009 | Correction to Schedule of Rates - the 20% premium included in the £7.82 rate for labour does not include employers National Insurance contributions. |
| Capital Claim Workflow | 27 October 2009 | Replacement of document (multi amendments) |
| Timing for Standard Cost Capital & Actual Cost Capital Payments Claims | 27 October 2009 | Amendments to Timing for Standard Cost & Actual Cost Capital Payments to include the insertion of some hyperlinks |
| Interim Claims | 27 October 2009 | Amendments to Interim Claims to include the insertion of some hyperlinks |
| Changes to Claim Years | 26 October 2009 | New page including hyperlinks |
| Agri-environment Standard Payment Rates for Capital Items Stock Fence :- Agri-environment Woodland Creation Woodland Improvement Grant | 26 October 2009 | Clarifying entitlement to claim full payment on certain capital items associated with a boundary fence. |
| Statement of Intent Workflow and Records Management Standard Letter Templates | 12 October 2009 | Updated to include new guidance on SoI Bypass |
| Management of Hedgerows | 09 October 2009 | Clarification on eligibility of roadside and 'boundary' hedges under the Management of Hedgerows Option |
| Argyll Region - Water & Soil Ayr Region - Water & Soil Borders Region - Water & Soil Clyde Valley Region - Water & Soil Dumfries and Galloway Region - Water & Soil Forth Region - Water & Soil Grampian Region - Water & Soil Highland Region - Water & Soil Northern Isles Region - Water & Soil Outer Hebrides Region - Water & Soil Tayside Region - Water & Soil | 07 October 2009 | Amendment to wording for Water and Soils Management priority for each RPAC. |
| Grant Rates for Axis 2 Options | 06 October 2009 | Update to Woodland Creation Payment Rates table to reflect the new intervention rate of 80% for Less Favoured Areas (LFAs) that has been introduced to the 6 Woodland Creation Options. |
| Applying the five State Aid Criteria | 06 October | Diagram amended to show increase in funding from €200,000 to €500,000 |
| Contract & VAT Standard letter Templates | 06 October 2009 | New page with Contract & VAT Standard Template letters. |
| Online SoI Application for Applicants & Agents Online Proposal guidance for applicants & Agents Internal User Guidance for Processing Rural Priority Cases in Front Office | 06 October 2009 | Desk Instructions amended to take into account the 'new look and feel' to the Rural Priorities on-line application system. |
| How it Works Statement of Intent What will I have to do What happens once I have submitted my SoI | 06 October 2009 | SoI guidance amended to include new SoI Bypass |
| Statement of Intent Workflow and Records Management | 30 September 2009 | Minor amendment to Transfer of Files guidance. |
| Capital Items Claim Form | 30 September 2009 | Addition of interim/final claim question and clearer layout on signing page |
| Thriving Rural Communities | 30 September 2009 | Clarification that Borders Regional Priority 31a excludes core or revenue funding for community organisations |
| Timing and Scheme Year Rules for Annual Recurrent Payment claims | 25 September 2009 | Amendment to 4th bullet point, the following paragraph. |
| Variations Guidance | 25 September 2009 | Amendment to variation guidance text |
| Mammal & Bird Control | 24 September 2009 | Clarify what costs are eligible under the Predator control for black grouse and capercaillie option, how to enter details when submitting proposals and what supporting documentation is required with a claim. |
| Woodland Creation Woodland Improvement Grant Area Access Man. Enjoyment of Rural Landscapes Information & Awareness Raising Man. of Archaeological or historic sites Agri-environment Standard capital rates Building/restoring dry/flagstone dykes Post & Rail Fence Stock Fence :- Agri-environment Woodland Creation Woodland Improvement Grant Deer Fence :- Agri-environment Woodland Creation Woodland Improvement Grant | 22 September 2009 | To clarify payment rates - to explain that march fences and dykes are only eligible for a proportion of the replacement/restoration/rebuilding cost if management responsibility is shared between neighbouring land managers |
| Land Ownership, Control and Withdrawal | 11 September 2009 | Succession Request Form now available. |
| Assessment Criteria - National Targets | 11 September 2009 | National Target for addressing feature condition on SSSI/Natura sites: removal of reference to 2010 |
| Community Services and Facilities | 11 September 2009 | Clarification that eligible non-capital costs only relate to capital works |
| Woodland Creation | 11 September 2009 | Amendment to guidance text |
| Grant Rates for Axis 3 Options | 08 September 2009 | Updating grant rates for Community Services and Facilities and Collaborative Local Development Strategies options |
| Community Services and Facilities | 08 September 2009 | Inclusion of key ineligible costs, particularly relevant to this option |
| Statement of Intent Workflow and Records Management | 4 September 2009 | Inclusion of SOI Bypass option plus procedural updates |
| Wildlife Management on Upland and Peathand Sites | 4 September 2009 | Guidance updated to allow applicants access to an additional livestock management option. |
| Provision and Upgrading Infrastructure | 4 September 2009 | Amendment to guidance text |
| Diversification Outwith Agriculture | 4 September 2009 | Amendment to guidance text |
| How to make a capital claim | 3 September 2009 | Confirmation that the deadline for 2009 items will be 31 December 2009. |
| Wild Bird Seed Mix/Unharvested Crop | 3 September 2009 | Additional guidance to emphasise the importance of separating the plots. |
| Succession Guidance | 3 September 2009 | Addition of text to introduce this guidance |
| Clyde Valley Region - Built & Cultural Heritage | 26 August 2009 | Minor modifications to Regional Priorities 15e |
| Clyde Valley Region - Diversification of Rural Enterprise | 26 August 2009 | Minor modifications to Regional Priorities 30 |
| Interim Claims | 24 August 2009 | Correction to guidance - restriction applied to interim claims is 70% of total approved grant and not 70% of total approved cost of the investment |
| Guidance for Staff | 20 August 2009 | Non Contentious Forestry Proposals - updates to The Process for Ongoing Approval of Forestry Proposals and Flowchart - The Process for Ongoing Approval of Forestry Proposals |
| Guidance for Staff | 17 August 2009 | New sub-heading added - 'Non Contentious Forestry Proposals' - The Process for Ongoing Approval of Forestry Proposals and Flowchart - The Process for Ongoing Approval of Forestry Proposals |
| How it Works | 17 August 2009 | Updates to give details of the 'Ongoing Approvals' process for Forestry only Proposals - Proposal, Assessment, Formal Scoring and How to Apply |
| Support for Renewable Energy - Non Land Based | 17 August 2009 | Clarification of eligibility for renewable energy options |
| Renewable Energy - Forestry | 17 August 2009 | Clarification of eligibility for renewable energy options |
| Renewable Energy - Agriculture | 17 August 2009 | Clarification of eligibility for renewable energy options |
| Grant Rates for Axis 2 Options | 17 August 2009 | Update of payment rates for woodland creation |
| Woodland Improvement Grant | 13 August 2009 | The following 3 capital items have been added to the list eligible under option: 'Woodland Improvement Grant - Woodland Habitats and Species' Removal of tree crop to waste 3m-6m high, Woodland Clearance benefiting raised bog/blanket bog - felling to waste and Woodland Clearance benefiting raised bog/blanket bog - felling and extraction. |
| Land Ownership, Control and Withdrawal | 13 August 2009 | Additional text with link to new Landlord Consent Form |
| Landlord Consent Form | 13 August 2009 | New Form |
| Project Expenditure Eligible Costs | 12 August 2009 | Updating details of eligible costs |
| Succession Guidance | 06 August 2009 | Contract succession guidance, flowcharts - single incomer or multiple incomers, succession request form and standard letter templates |
| Creation or restoration of a pond | 31 July 2009 | Duplicate paragraph deleted |
| Woodland Creation | 27 July 2009 | Woodland Creation annual recurrent modification rates amended to 100% |
| VAT and Claims | 24 July 2009 | Amendment to guidance to include the VAT Registration Status Declaration Form |
| Quotes and Estimates | 24 July 2009 | Pages reordered and clarification on Quotes and Estimates |
| Assessing Microrenewables Non Land Based Proposals - Guidance for Case Officers | 24 July 2009 | Correction to the PDF format. |
| Guidance for staff | 23 July 2009 | New page - Internal user desk instructions - capital claims |
| RPAC Assessment and Funding Decision Making Process | 20 July 2009 | New text added - update on scoring following SRDP review |
| Formal Scoring | 20 July 2009 | New text added - update on scoring following SRDP review |
| Creation or restoration of a pond | 20 July 2009 | Add new paragraph to guidance and a hyperlink to the SEPA publication 'Ponds, pools and lochans' |
| State Aid | 20 July 2009 | Temporary increase of de minimus limit to €500,000 |
| Guidance for Staff | 16 July 2009 | Guidance extended to include what to do in case of the incorrect application of regional priority 9 |
| Guidance for Staff | 10 July 2009 | Page re-ordered, links moved |
| Landlord Notification Form | 30 June 2009 | BRN field now in correct configuration |
| Rural Priorities - Inspections | 30 June 2009 | 2 new pages added - Protocol for allocation of annual recurrent inspections and Protocol for allocation of capital inspections. Minor updating/amending of the SRDP Rural Priority inspection pages |
| Community Services and Facilities | 30 June 2009 | Clarification of categories of eligible applicant and activity |
| Claims for Outcome Plans | 30 June 2009 | The ability to claim or make payments for Outcome Plans under type "d" ie over 5 years will not be available until summer 2010 |
| Appendices | 26 June 2009 | Clarify supporting documents for community applications |
| Assessment Criteria - Contribution to National Targets | 22 June 2009 | Additional guidance on the woodland expansion target. |
| Woodland Creation Option | 12 June 2009 | Eligibility of Short Rotation Forestry, with link to associated technical guidance added. |
| Assessment criteria - collaboration | 12 June 2009 | Amendment to provide further guidance on how to assess collaboration |
| Assessment criteria - leverage | 12 June 2009 | Amendment to provide further guidance on how to assess leverage. |
| Claims and Claims for Standard Cost Captial & Actual Cost Capital Payments: an Overveiw | 3 June 2009 | Amendment to both web pages to include links to the Machinery and Labour rates, timesheets and Electrical Certificate |
| Project Expenditure Eligible Costs | 3 June 2009 | Inclusion of land and real estate purchase as eligible costs. |
| Woodland Creation | 26 May 2009 | Eligibility guidance added on natural regeneration, juniper and planting that is the subject of planning consent. |
| Forth RPAC - Regional Priority | 26 May 2009 | Amendment to Forth regional priority 07b relating to organic farming. |
| Variation guidance | 19 May 2009 | Contract variation guidance and desk instructions and standard letter templates |
| Management of Species-Rich Grassland | 19 May 2009 | Amendment of text and the addition of Sward Height guidance |
| Using Option codes when making a claim | 18 May 2009 | New pages including the 3 option code lists |
| How Penalties are calculated for over-claims | 18 May 2009 | Minor textual changes in table on page to reflect new EU policy, and removal of one row of table for same reason |
| Collaborative Local Development Strategies | 11 May 2009 | Rate of support altered |
| Forest Plan Preparation | 11 May 2009 | Updated the link to the latest guidance and examples of Forest Plans. |
| Project Expenditure Eligible Costs (Including Second Hand Equipment) | 7 May 2009 | Confirmation that Machinery bought on a hire purchase agreement is not eligible for assistance |
| Woodland Creation | 29 April 2009 | Amendment to clarify claim dates |
| Extended Hedges | 29 April 2009 | Amendment to clarify claim dates |
| Management of Hedgerows | 29 April 2009 | Amendment to clarify claim dates |
| Underdrain (or culvert) breaking | 29 April 2009 | Add diagram to show how to break a culvert or underdrain |
| Grass Margins and Beetlebanks | 28 April 2009 | Clarify management of sterile strip |
| Supporting Biodiversity | 28 April 2009 | Add link to Bumblebee Conservation Trust web page |
| Livestock Tracks, Gates and River Crossinigs | 27 April 2009 | Clarity that this measure is only eligible if associated with agri-environment options which identify such a need. |
| Project Expenditure Eligible costs | 27 April 2009 | Clarification on eligibility of machinery bought on a hire purchase agreement. |
| Buffer Areas for Fens and Lowland Raised Bogs | 20 April 2009 | Amendment to section on Rate of Support |
| Match Funding and In-kind Contributions | 8 April 2009 | Definition of match funding, limiting effect of intervention rates on funding from public sources |
| Applying the five State Aid Criteria | 8 April 2009 | Addition of the link to Establish whether an activity is non-commercial and purely for public benefit |
| State Aid - Impact of Funding for Rural Priorities | 8 April 2009 | Addition of the link to How to work out if state aid rules apply |
| Quotes and Estimates | 8 April 2009 | Guidance page added to the General rules menu |
| Woodland Improvement Grant | 8 April 2009 | Table added showing revised restocking densities for restructuring regenerartion. |
| Biodiversity cropping on in-bye | 1 April 2009 | Amendment to page to add further guidance |
| Diversification Outwith agriculture | 1 April 2009 | Amendment to page |
| Rural Priorities - Contract | 1 April 2009 | Addition of the Link to the Staff Guidance on Contracts |
| Internal User Back Office Desk Instruction - Part 3 | 25 March 2009 | Desk Instruction Updated |
| Internal User Back Office Desk Instruction - Part 2 | 25 March 2009 | Desk Instruction Updated |
| Internal User Back Office Desk Instruction - Part 1 | 25 March 2009 | Desk Instruction Updated |
| Match Funding and In-Kind Contributions | 23 March 2009 | New page on sources or acceptable match funding and in-kind contributions for Rural Priorities |
| Internal User Back Office Desk Instructions - Part 2 | 23 March 2009 | Updated guidance to the Record RPAC Decision Screen |
| Community Services and Facilities | 20 March 2009 | Clarification of definition of "rural community group" |
| Funding for Outcome Plans | 13 March 2009 | Updated guidance |
| Claims for Outcome Plans | 13 March 2009 | Updated guidance |
| Outcome Plan Claim Checklist | 13 March 2009 | Checklist updated |
| Outcome Plan Claim Form | 13 March 2009 | Extensive changes to Outcome Plan Claim Form |
| Types of Breach and Applicable Penalties | 12 March 2009 | Clarification on breaches and how they apply. Addition of an examples page. |
| Payment and Recoveries | 12 March 2009 | Clarification on breaches and how they apply |
| Grazings Committee | 5 March 2009 | Correction to the guidance - bringing it into line with SSI |
| Woodland Improvement Grant Option | 3 March 2009 | Payment rates increased for most operations, new operations added and actual costs now payable for work on SSSI/Natura sites |
| Woodland Creation Option | 3 March 2009 | Addistion of 3 new fencing types and additional text on native woodlands, farmland premium and neighbour notification |
| Short Rotation Coppice Crops of Willow or Poplar Option | 3 March 2009 | Maximum payment now £1000 per hectare. |
| Collaborative Local Development Strategies | 27 February 2009 | Addition of Rural Direct Service details |
| Community Services and Facilities | 27 February 2009 | Alteration of rate of support and addition of Rural Direct Service details |
| Area Access Management | 27 February 2009 | Removal of £500 per capital item limit |
| List of Rural Priorities Options | 27 February 2009 | Addition of note that 'Development/Creation of Mirco-Enterprises' can only be applied for under Regional Priorities 26-30 |
| Internal User Back Office Desk Instuction Part 1 | 19 February 2009 | Updated to include Case Detail Deletion Functionality |
| Setting up Young Farmers | 17 February 2009 | Brief clarification of eligible loans |
| Outcome Plan Claim form | 19 February 2009 | Updated Outcome Plan Claim Form |
| Outcome Plan Claim Workflow | 10 February 2009 | Updated Outcome Plan Claim Workflow |
| Outcome Plan Claim Standard Letters and Checklist Templates | 10 February 2009 | New Section under 'Guidance for Staff' for Outcome Plan Claim Standard Letters and Checklist Templates |
| Forth Region Priority - Adaptations to Mitigate Climate Change | 6 February 2009 | Clarification on Forth Regional Priority 21 |
| Forth Region Priority - Landscape | 6 February 2009 | Clarification on Forth Regional Priority 14 |
| Internal User Back Office Desk Instructions Part 2 | 3 February 2009 | Case Officer guidance regarding the Points to Note Comment box that will be printed within the contract |
| Internal User Back Office Desk Instructions Part 3 | 3 February 2009 | Examples of Approval of Proposal and Rejection of Proposal letters |
| Conversion to and Maintenance of Organic Farming | 30 January 2009 | Clarification on the period for which payment will be delivered. |
| Outcome Plan Claims and Actual Cost Capital Claims | 30 January 2009 | Additional guidance on proof of VAT registration status |
| RDC Contract | 30 January 2009 | Update to the description of the documents that comprise an RDC Contract |
| General Undertakings | 28 January 2009 | Added an undertaking that covers people who are VAT registered |
| Planting or re-planting of hedge | 28 January 2009 | Revised text - clarify whether applicants need to protect new planting from voles. |
| Away-Wintering of Sheep | 23 January 2009 | Clarification that Proposal should deliver an improvement to the condition of moorland |
| Off-Wintering of Sheep | 23 January 2009 | Clarification that Proposal should deliver an improvement to the condition of moorland |
| Internal User Back Office Desk Instruction Part 1 | 23 January 2009 | Desk Instruction Updated |
| Internal User Back Office Desk Instruction Part 2 | 23 January 2009 | Desk Instruction Updated |
| Internal User Back Office Desk Instruction Part 3 | 23 January 2009 | Desk Instruction Updated |
| Extended Hedges | 21 January 2009 | Clarification whether both sides of a hedge can be extended. |
| Assessment Criteria - Contribution to National Targets | 20 January 2009 | Clarification whether older farmers can qualify for the National Target - encouraging new entrants into farming |
| Woodland Creation | 20 January 2009 | 200 hectare maximum limit, on eligibility for receipt of Farmland Premium payments, removed. |
| Erosion Control | 20 January 2009 | Amendment of Captial Item guidance for consistency. |
| Mammal and Bird Control | 9 January 2009 | Clarification of Rate of Support for Predator Control for Black Grouse and Capercaillie. |
| Timing and Scheme Year Rules for Annual Recurrent Payment Claims | 24 December 2008 | Remove reference to the 2 year rule as this conflicts with what is in contracts. |
| Timing for Standard Cost Capital & Actual Cost Capital Payments Claims | 24 December 2008 | Remove reference to the 2 year rule as this conflicts with what is in contracts. |
| VAT and Claims | 24 December 2008 | Clarification of VAT guidance. |
| Scare or temporary fencing | 24 December 2008 | Revised text to confirm that scare fencing is only eligible if required to protect a dyke rebuilt under the RDC-RP contract |
| Case Officer Proposal Assessment Template | 19 December 2008 | Amended hyperlinks |
| Assessment Criteria - Contribution to National Targets | 19 December 2008 | To clarify that an age restriction does apply. |
| Specific targeted areas for Rural Priorities in Scotland | 18 December 2008 | New page of guidance on target areas relating to Control of invasive non-native species |
| Internal User Back Office Desk Instruction Part 1 | 17 December 2008 | Fully revised to incorporate changes to the back office system |
| Moorland Grazings on Upland and Peatlands | 17 December 2008 | To clarify eligibility criteria |
| Landlord Declaration Form | 12 December 2008 | New Form |
| Landlord Notification Form | 12 December 2008 | New Form |
| Land Ownership and Control | 12 December 2008 | Revised text |
| Proposal Assessment Criteria | 8 December 2008 | PDF replaced with new version |
| Conservation Management for Small Units | 5 December 2008 | Add link to online application form and move paragraph regarding online application |
| Timing and Scheme Year Rules for Annual Recurrent Payment Claims | 4 December 2008 | Amendment to contract and claim start date |
| Conversion to and Maintenance of Organic Farming | 4 December 2008 | Correction to the amount of the minimum payment per IACS business under the Organic Conversion and Organic Maintenance options |
| Forestry Commission Scotland Consents | 4 December 2008 | Confirmation - Specially Identified Hill Areas no longer a trigger for FCS to consult RPID |
| Open Grazed or Wet Grassland for Wildlife | 4 December 2008 | Confirmation that the area being managed under the Open Grazed or Wet Grassland for Wildlife option cannot be relocated during the 5-year period |
| Arable Reversion to Grassland | 4 December 2008 | Clarifying the eligibility criteria for a field entered for management under the Arable Reversion to Grassland option |
| Improving the Economic Value of Forests | 4 December 2008 | Update of "Who can apply" - Option is only availlable to applicants with a forest holding of at least 30 hectares |
| Erosion Control - Capital Item | 3 December 2008 | Amendment to enable claims for a 5 year captial project to be made throughout the 5 year contract |
| Project Expenditure Eligible Costs (Including Second Hand Equipment) | 3 December 2008 | New page |
| Assessing applications from employees of RPID, SNH or FCS | 3 December 2008 | New page |
| Provision and Upgrading of Infrastructure | 3 December 2008 | Amendment to "Who can apply" |
| VAT and Claims | 3 December 2008 | Guidance on including/excluding VAT from claims |
| Claims for Standard / actual cost capital items | 3 December 2008 | Amendment to guidance |
| Claims for Outcome Plans | 3 December 2008 | Revised text |
| Assessment Criteria - Meeting Demand | 28 November 2008 | Additional text |
| Assessment Criteria - Leverage | 28 November 2008 | Additional text |
| Assessment Criteria - Long Term Benefit | 28 November 2008 | Additional text |
| Assessment Criteria - Integration | 28 November 2008 | Additional text |
| Assessment Criteria - Collaboration | 28 November 2008 | Additional text |
| Land Ownership, control and withdrawal | 28 November 2008 | Revised text |
| Rural Priorities - Contract | 27 November 2008 | Guidance change - Procedure for verification of signatures on RDC Rural Priorities contracts |
| Outcome Plan Claim Workflow | 26 November 2008 | New section to staff guidance for outcome plan claims |
| Outcome Plan Claims | 26 November 2008 | Revised text |
| Case Officer Proposal Assesment Template | 26 November 2008 | Definitive case officer proposal assesment template download added to the 'Guidance for Staff' webpage |
| Informing others | 26 November 2008 | Add new links to web page and include tracked changes |
| Conservation Management for Small Units | 25 November 2008 | Replace existing web page with amended guidance |
| Control of invasive non-native species - Grey Squirrels | 25 November 2008 | Clarification on the number of trapping sessions appropriate to the site |
| Moorland - Stock Disposal | 25 November 2008 | Eligibility of continuing to maintain reduced flock size set under a legacy agri-environment scheme agreement |
| Watercourse Channel Enhancement | 13 November 2008 | Revised text |
| Control of invasive and non-native species - Grey Squirrels | 13 November 2008 | Clarification on the number of trap sessions per year |
| Open Grazed or Wet Grassland for Wildlife | 13 November 2008 | Confirmation that the area being managed under the Open Grazed or Wet Grassland for Wildlife option cannot be relocated during the 5-year period. |
| Management of Hedgerows | 13 November 2008 | Management of Hedgerows option - clarification on the ineligibility of a hedge which itself forms the boundary or march |
| Conservation Management Plan for Small Units | 11 November 2008 | Clarification on timing of submission of Conservation management plan with special measures for small units |
| Standard Letter Templates | 10 November 2008 | The standard letter templates in the SoI Workflow and Records Management PDF have also been included as a separate PDF. |
| Claims for Outcome Plans and Funding for Outcome Plans | 10 November 2008 | Clarification that an applicant can claim one or the other type of specialist plan but not both. |
| Grass margins and Beetlebanks | 10 November 2008 | Clarification: 0.5 m (minimum) sterile strip is included in the paid area under the management of grass margins option. Width of grass margin strip is 1.5 m (minimum) plus 0.5 m (minimum) sterile strip. |
| Skills Development and Skills Development to Improve Quality of Life | 10 November 2008 | Links have been inserted in each Option to the other Option to cross-reference the two Options |
| Cropped Machair | 5 November 2008 | Clarification of the crop/fallow rotation and the application of payment rates under the Cropped Machair Option. |
| Internal Desk Instructions for Guidance | 31 October 2008 | Guidance rewritten to reflect system updates |
| Internal Online SOI Application Guidance | 31 October 2008 | Guidance rewritten to reflect system updates |
| Online Proposal Application for Applicants and Agents | 31 October 2008 | Guidance rewritten to reflect system updates |
| Online SOI Application for Applicants and Agents | 31 October 2008 | Guidance rewritten to reflect system updates |
| Land ownership, control and withdrawal | 31 October 2008 | Sentence added to guidance page to confirm that applicants cannot receive final approval from Scottish Ministers for their Proposal without first notifying the Landlord. |
| Funding for Outcome Plans | 31 October 2008 | Changes made to advise that it is not yet possible for applicants to opt for Type (d) Outcome Plan funding until 2009 |
| Claims for Outcome Plans | 31 October 2008 | Changes made to advise that it is not yet possible for applicants to opt for Type (d) Outcome Plan funding until 2009 |
| Management and repair of vernacular buildings | 31 October 2008 | Minor clarification of eligibility criteria and claims procedure. |
| Types of Breach and Applicable Penalties | 31 October 2008 | Change of wording to cover further SRDP schemes in guidance on additional competitive penalties. |
| Introduction to Breaches and Penalties | 31 October 2008 | Change of wording to cover further SRDP schemes in guidance on additional competitive penalties. |
| Consultation and Public Register for Woodlands, Forest Planning and Short Rotation Coppice | 30 October 2008 | Add additional text to heading Guidance on Consultation and Public Register to clarify that this is for woodlands only |
| How to Apply | 30 October 2008 | Add new sentence to page to clarify how to apply if you do not own or let land. |
| Who can apply | 30 October 2008 | Add sentence to guidance page to clarify whether or not Local Authorities can apply |
| Claims for Standard Cost capital and actual cost capital items: an overview | 30 October 2008 | Add sentence to guidance page to clarify the proportion of a proposal that can be made up of capital items |
| Highland Region - Biodiversity | 27 October 2008 | Highland regional priority 12 updated for clarity. |
| Assessing Microrenewables Agri/Forestry Proposals - Guidance for Case Officers | 23 October 2008 | Section 'Determining whether the proposed installation could have planning, natural heritage, licensing or other issues ' has been amended. |
| Environment Outcome Plan | 22 October 2008 | Environmental Outcome Plan updated in locked word document and pdf to include new section for Woodland Creation Options |
| Environment Outcome Plan Guidance | 22 October 2008 | Guidance updated to include description of new section in Outcome Plan. |
| Soil and Water Management Programme | 21 October 2008 | Guidance updated and 'Soils and Water Plan' added. |
| Stage 1: Assessment of a submitted Proposal | 21 October 2008 | 'Consultation with other Public Organisations' updated to include more information about certain woodland Options. |
| Internal Users Back Office Desk Instructions Parts 1, 2 and 3 | 21 October 2008 | Guidance has been substantially upgraded and amended. Three pdfs replace the one 'Internal Desk Instructions for Approval, Assessment and Scoring'. |
| Moorland Grazings on Uplands and Peatlands | 20 October 2008 | 'Eligibility Criteria' amended to allow combining this Option with the Muirburn and Heather Swiping Option. |
| Wildlife Management on Upland and Peatland Sites | 20 October 2008 | 'What this will achieve' and list of requirements in 'What you can do' amended and 'Eligibility Criteria' amended to allow combining this Option with the Muirburn and Heather Swiping Option. |
| Claims for Outcome Plans | 17 October 2008 | Clarification of what payments are included in the £1,000 limit for Plan payments. |
| Manure/ Slurry Storage | 3 October 2008 | 'What you can do' and 'What costs could be supported' sections amended. |
| Community Services and Facilities | 3 October 2008 | Inspection/ verification information amended to exclude quotes guidance, which is included in 'What costs could be supported'. |
| Sustainable Management of Forests | 2 October 2008 | Eligibility criteria no longer excludes from support 'individual areas measuring less than 1 hectare'. |
| Woodland Creation | 2 October 2008 | Eligibility criteria for the mixed conifer/broadleaf woodland updated and definition of agricultural land added. |
| Environmentally Sensitive Area (ESA) and Habitats Scheme leavers in 2009 | 29 September 2008 | Information about leaving the Environmentally Sensitive Area (ESA) Scheme or Habitats Scheme in 2009 |
| Monitoring and Evaluation | 22 September 2008 | Guidance has been amended |
| Interim Claims | 17 September 2008 | Additional sentence included first paragraph to clarify text. |
| Ayrshire Regional Priority 9 | 17 September 2008 | Ayrshire Regional Priority 9 amended for clarity. |
| Setting up Young Farmers - Interest Rate Relief | 11 September 2008 | 'Who can apply' section updated. |
| Assessing Microrenewable Agri/Forestry Proposals - Guidance for Case Officers | 9 September 2008 | PDF has now been uploaded in Staff Guidance Section |
| Assessing Microrenewable Non Land Based Proposals - Guidance for Case Officers | 9 September 2008 | PDF has now been uploaded in Staff Guidance Section |
| Quotes and Estimates | 9 September 2008 | Guidance has now been published. A sentence has also been included in appropriate Options. |
| SoI Workflow and Filing Procedure - Guidance for Staff | 8 September 2008 | New version of PDF uploaded |
| Manure/Slurry Storage | 8 September 2008 | Modification of text in 'What you can do' section for clarification. |
| Online Proposal Submission | 4 September 2008 | Removal of 'Helpful Hints' section. This infromation is now available in the Online Proposal Guidance For Applicants and Agents. |
| Mammal and Bird Control | 3 September | Eligibilty section has been updated |
| Support for Renewable Energy - Non Land Based | 3 September 2008 | Sections: What you can do, who can apply? and What technologies are supported? Have been updated. |
| Renewable Energy - Forestry | 3 September 2008 | Section:What technologies are supported? Has been updated. |
| Renewable Energy - Agriculture | 3 September 2008 | Section:What technologies are supported? Has been updated. |
| Proposal Assessment Criteria | 3 September 2008 | Outdated text removed |
| Online Proposal Guidance For Applicants and Agents | 26 August 2008 | Reformatted document to landscape, added Helpful Hints and removed outdated text. |
| Internal desk instructions on submitted Proposal | 26 August 2008 | Reformatted document to landscape, added Helpful Hints and removed outdated text. |
| Value Added Processing | 26 August 2008 | Guidance for the Value Added Processing Package now published. |
| Treat Run-Off of Pollutants - Farm Wetlands | 26 August 2008 | Rate of support section updated. |
| Habitat Grazing Management | 26 August 2008 | Rate of support section updated. |
| Livestock Tracks, Gates and River Crossings | 25 August 2008 | Guidance on the funding of 2nd hand equipment added. Section on rate of support updated. |
| Assessment Criteria - Additionality | 25 August 2008 | Guidance on how you can score a 'high' has been updated. |
| Assessment of a Sumitted Proposal | 13 August 2008 | Guidance wording amended. |
| Conservation and Management for Small Units | 13 August 2008 | Wording withing Option guidance amended. |
| Internal Desk Instructions for Assessment, Approval and Scoring of Proposal | 12 August 2008 | Staff guidance on assessing, scoring and approving Proposals is now available. |
| Inspections - Minimum Requirements for Fertiliser and Plant Protection Product Use | 12 August 2008 | The wording for what will be checked by inspectors with regards to fertiliser and plant protection product use has been amended. |
| Forest Plan Preparation | 12 August 2008 | Additional information has been included in the guidance for preparing Forest Plan as part of Woodland Improvement Grant. |
| Claims for Standard Cost Capital & Actual Cost Capital Payments: an Overview | 5 August 2008 | Paragraph added confirming that only Standard Cost Capital Items approved in a Proposal can be claimed for. |
| Guidance for staff | 24 July 2008 | The guidance for staff has now been moved to the bottom of the left hand menu under 'how it works'. There is still a link from the 'forms and further guidance' menu. |
| Claims guidance | 24 July 2008 | Figures within the outcome plan tables have been altered. |
| Mapping | 24 July 2008 | Guidance on mapping has now been published. |
| Consents and Licences Guidance | 21 July 2008 | Wording changed to incorporate changes in outcome plan templates. |
| Environment Outcome Plan Guidance | 21 July 2008 | Information relating to the constent section of the outcome plan template amended. |
| Business Outcome Plan Guidance | 21 July 2008 | Information relating to the constent section of the outcome plan template amended. |
| Outcome Plan Templates | 21 July 2008 | Consents section of all three outcome plan tempates amended. |
| Internal Desk instructions for submitted proposal | 18 July 2008 | Information relating to Annual Recurrent Options has been altered |
| Online Proposal Desk Instructions | 18 July 2008 | Information relating to Annual Recurrent Options has been altered |
| Consents and Licences Guidance | 18 July 2008 | Guidance on Consents and Licences has now been published. |
| Assessment and Scoring Guidance | 15 July 2008 | Guidance on Assessment and the Scoring Process has now been published. |
| Internal Desk Instructions for submitted Proposal | 14 July 2008 | The Internal Desk Instructions for dealing with a submitted proposal has now been published. |
| Online Proposal Desk Instructions | 14 July 2008 | The Online Proposal Guidance for Applicants and Agents has now been published |
| Open Grazed or Wet Grassland for Wildlife | 14 July 2008 | Wording for 'Inspectors will check' in the Inspection section of guidance has been altered. |
| Contracts guidance | 14 July 2008 | Guidance on Contracts has now been published. |
| Claims guidance | 10 July 2008 | Guidance for making claims has now been published. |
| Consultation and Public Register | 8 July 2008 | Case Officer guidance for Consultation and Public Register for Forestry Options has been published and is available as PDF. |
| SSSI and Natura sites capital item guidance | 8 July 2008 | Actual Cost Capital Item guidance for SSSI and Natura sites now added to appropriate Options |
| Erosion control Capital Item guidance | 8 July 2008 | Actual Cost Capital Item guidance for Erosion control now added to appropriate Options |
| Outcome Plan Template | 7 July 2008 | Outcome plan templates for Environment, Business and Woodland Creation now available to download in a printable PDF form, and an editable Word document. |
| Proposal Guidance | 7 July 2008 | Guidance on submitting proposal updated to include online proposal submission. |
| Online Proposal Guidance - for applicants and agents (pdf) | 7 July 2008 | Downloadable PDF desk instructions for submitting proposal online published. |
| Outcome Plan - Do you need specialist advice? | 3 July 2008 | Guidance on assessing the need for specialist advice as part of your Outcome Plan is now published. |
| Diversification Outwith Agriculture | 2 July 2008 | Wording for 'Who can apply' section has been altered. |
| Renewable Energy - Agriculture | 2 July 2008 | Refinements made to Eligibilty Criteria and Technical Information sections. |
| Renewable Energy - Forestry | 2 July 2008 | Refinements made to Eligibilty Criteria and Technical Information sections. |
| Support for Renewable Energy - Non Land Based | 2 July 2008 | Refinements made to Eligibilty Criteria and Technical Information sections. |
| Supporting Biodiversity - Scottish Wildcats | 1 July 2008 | Option to control Grey Squirrels for Red squirrel conservation removed. |
| Supporting Biodiversity Package | 27 June 2008 | Guidance for the Supporting Biodiversity package now published |
| Northern Isles Region - Thriving Rural Communities | 17 June 2008 | Wording for priority 31a has been altered |
| Proposal Assessment Criteria | 13 June 2008 | Guidance on assessment criteria published |
| Area Access Management Option | 3 June 2008 | Section on 'rate of support' updated |
| Argyll Regional Priorities - Biodiversity | 3 June 2008 | Removal of Mink control from priority number 11 |