We are developing an IT solution, LARCs, which is a casework and transactional system for administering LEADER. Development is progressing and we will shortly be approaching LAGs and Accountable Bodies to nominate a system administrator for LARCs.

We want to involve system administrators at this stage so they have an opportunity to familiarise themselves with the process. When we write asking for nominations we will set out the functions that a system administrator has to undertake so that you can nominate the most appropriate person.

We intend to start training system administrators from the end of January. We’ll make the training accessible by video conference to limit travel requirements and maximise attendance. The indicative training dates are below.

The current Certifying Body Audit of LEADER is well underway. We’d like to thank you all for producing files from your archive storage at short notice and sending or bringing them to Saughton.

Audit has raised a small number of areas that they want to explore further and the LEADER team are helping them through that process. We hope to limit any further ask of LAGs but will be in touch with you if we need further clarification.

A number of the areas raised by the Audit Teams, Audit Scotland and the EU are around controls. This means that the SG LEADER team needs to tighten up processes for that. As a consequence, the LEADER 2014-2020 programme includes passing penalties to Accountable Bodies.

The best way to minimise irregularities is to follow all LEADER procedures and to ensure that all project support documents are in place, and easily available, to support your decision making/payments.

We have good news on the issue of Business Reference Numbers (BRNs). This process is about registering/re-registering the Accountable Body and LAG on the Rural Payments website.

Going forward, we only require the Accountable Body to register/re-register their BRN. A separate BRN for the Local Action Group is no longer required. LAG admin costs will be reported under the Accountable Bodies BRN. This solution simplifies the management of the BRN and bank account requirements.

Find out more about Cairngorms LEADER by watching our short video from the launch of their new programme.

Cairngorms LEADER are also holding a series of roadshows in the new year on What is LEADER and how to apply for funding. You can get full details in our Events Calendar.

Dumfries and Galloway LEADER are running four funding roadshows in the early new year. Dates and venues are as follows:

• Langholm - 27 January, 6.30 - 8.30pm
• Thornhill - 28 January, 2 - 4pm
• New Galloway - 3 February, 6.30 - 8.30pm
• Stranraer - 9 February, 2 - 4pm

We are currently looking into an issue with a very small number of Expression of Interest submission emails not being delivered to two LAGs. Our web developers have investigated and the online form is working as it should and the emails are being sent from our website. It appears the issue is with acceptance of the email, which could be to do with security settings/content being marked as spam. This is still being looked into and we will provide an update as soon as possible.

After the Christmas break, we will send a full report to those LAGs that currently receive their EoIs directly so you can double check that you have received all the EoI submissions as expected. All the submissions are stored on the Scottish Rural Network website so we can resend information if required. As the issue seems to affect only a few random submissions, we will start sending a regular fortnightly report to each LAG so that you can check that everything has been received.

If you have any queries please email Norette Ferns at Norette@ruralnetwork.scot. Please note Norette is on leave from 18 December until 5 January.

The European Network for Rural Development - or ENRD - is one of three European networks involved with rural development programmes. We'll have information on the other two - the European Innovation Partnership for Agriculture (EIP-AGRI) and the European Evaluation Network for Rural Development (EENRD) – in future editions of this newsletter.

The ENRD doesn’t have a formal membership structure, so if you have an interest in rural development and you want to participate, you are very welcome to do so.

We are all a part of the ‘network’: LAGs, Managing Authorities, Paying Agencies, stakeholders and Network Support Units from every part of Europe.

And we are supported by the ‘ENRD Contact Point’, who have been contracted by the Commission to deliver the ENRD services. 

ENRD’s recent activities included an international conference on LEADER Cooperation, which we reported on last month.

You may also be interested in the following:  

• LEADER Tool-Kit - provides resources to support LAGs and Managing Authorities in delivering LEADER
• ENRD monthly newsletter - the December edition is just out and includes information on rural broadband awards and the Rural Networks' Assembly
• ENRD Contact Point Team – they are a very friendly bunch and are always very willing to answer questions and help where they can