Rural Development Programme for England (RDPE) An overview of the LEADER Programme John Simmons Rural Payments Agency

Transcription

1 Rural Development Programme for England (RDPE) An overview of the LEADER Programme John Simmons Rural Payments Agency 1

2 We will cover Outline of the LEADER Programme nationally and regionally Closing dates, BREXIT and current state of play Case studies some insights into funded projects Thoughts on the future Where to go for information 2

3 Rural Development in CAP and ESIF CAP Pillar 1 Pillar 2 - RDP scmo Direct payments Greening Countryside Stewardship 3.1 billion Growth 177m Countryside Productivity 141m LEADER 138m Structural Funds ERDF ESF 177m RDP (EAFRD) Growth Programme 3

4 RDPE Grant offers currently open Growth Programme 165 million of calls launched in January themes: Business Development (including farm diversification projects) Food Processing Tourism Infrastructure 30 million Rural Broadband Infrastructure (RBI) grant launched in October 2017 Countryside Productivity 60 million large grant offers launched in July 2017 and October themes still open Improving Farming Productivity Adding Value to Agri-food Water Resource Management LEADER Local programmes open in 79 areas since

5 LEADER explained Liaison Entre Actions de Développement de l'économie Rurale The European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development: Europe investing in rural areas 5

6 LEADER in context Rural Development Programme Countryside Stewardship 3.875bn ( 3.1bn) Countryside Productivity 176m ( 141m) Growth Programme 221m ( 177m) LEADER 172.5m ( 138m) Aim: To grow the rural economy in England Key outcomes: Creation of growth and jobs Minimum grant: 2,500 National priorities: Support to increase farm productivity Support for micro and small businesses (non-agricultural) and farm diversification Support for rural tourism Provision of rural services Support for cultural and heritage activity Support for increasing forestry productivity 6

7 What will LEADER fund? LEADER will fund farmers, foresters, rural businesses and rural communities to help: create jobs develop rural businesses support the rural economy 70% of all projects must directly support the rural economy. 30% of projects will also need to demonstrate that they are contributing to improving the local rural economy. The amount of funding available depends on: type of project size of business the costs involved (not all costs of the project may qualify for funding) 7

8 LEADER organisation Defra/RPA Contractual Accountable Body (AB) Accountable Body (AB) Accountable Body (AB) Governance Facilitation Local Action Group (LAG) Local Development Strategies Applicant handbooks 8

9 LEADER national picture in England 9

10 LEADER in the East of England 10

11 How long do we have? Growth Programme Expressions of interest (4 page application form) by end May 2018 Countryside Productivity Full application/expression of interest by 3 April 2018 (Forestry) 29 June 2018 (Water resource and Adding Value) or 3 December 2018 (Farming Productivity) LEADER funding to be committed to projects by 29 March All Grant Funding Agreements (contracts) in place before BREXIT will be honoured in full. Expectation for all funding claims to be submitted and paid by end of 2020 (some schemes earlier). 11

12 The story so far national 53.5m committed to 1,675 projects (45%) 550 Full Applications in progress 55.4m in endorsed project ideas (EoIs) 11.9m in ideas awaiting endorsement 535 confirmed jobs created 2,196 further jobs contracted Significant national variation in performance levels EU obligation to achieve 5% of RDPE spend overall 12

13 The story so far - local Essex Rivers (AB RCCE) - 1.5m 700k project spend to date Accepting new project ideas to 31 st October 2018 Healthy project pipeline Heritage Coast (AB Suffolk CC) - 1.6m Almost full spend still accepting project ideas except tourist accommodation Wool Towns (AB Suffolk CC) - 1.5m Open to project ideas with focus on job creation Eastern Plateau (AB East Herts Council) 1.7m Available funding now very tight, but contact for a discussion 13

14 Case studies LEADER priority 1 Havensfield Free Range Liquid Egg, Hoxne, Suffolk 60,816 grant towards 152,041 project. The project will enable second and poorer quality eggs to be utilised to produce pasteurised liquid egg, reducing waste and increasing profits. Included are the purchase and installation of a pasteurisation plant, tray washing, egg breaking and bottling facilities and a chiller van. The ability to produce pasteurised liquid egg will open new business avenues, and also protect the business from the impact of diseases such as Avian flue and iron out the peaks and troughs of surpluses. Priority 1 support to increase farm productivity 14

15 Case studies LEADER priority 2 Dan Hull Prepared Foods Ltd Danbury, Essex Expanding business operating from tiny, cramped kitchen 52k grant at 40% towards 158k project developing large, purpose-built food processing facility 12 FTE jobs generated Expanding business with E of E Co-op and new markets with Waitrose, Ocado Priority 2 support for micro and small business 15

16 Case studies LEADER priority 2 Flint Vineyard, Earsham, Norfolk 42,500 grant towards 106,000 project. Specialist wine making machinery will be commissioned for a new 2.5 hectare vineyard at Camphill Farm, Earsham. Project includes new stainless steel tanks with inert gas storage to protect against oxidation, tank temperature control and new pumps for wine. New visitor centre. Priority 2 support for micro and small business 16

17 Case studies LEADER priority 3 Hannam s Wake Hub Stretham, Cambs 85,320 grant at 40% Development to increase capacity from 8 to people per hour Opened for peak season 2017 Six new FTE jobs plus additional seasonal work Local mulitiplier effects Priority 3 support for rural tourism 1 7

18 Case studies LEADER priority 2/3/4 Clare Castle Country Park, Suffolk Renovation of old station booking hall to provide a railwaythemed café 12,871 grant at 40% 2 FTEs generated Local multiplier effects Business expansion, tourism and local service aspects Priority

19 After BREXIT? Is there a need for government support in rural socio-economic development? Informing the debate (NFU, CLA, FSB, Local Authorities, evaluation of RDPE project spend, Defra Consultation) Rural v Urban National v Local 19

20 The LEADER approach Cost Commitment Compliance Consistency Grass roots Local knowledge Ownership Facilitation 20

21 More information RDPE Growth Programme calls launched in January million-available-to-support-growth-in-rural-areas Rural Broadband Infrastructure Search gov.uk for RDPE Growth Programme Countryside Productivity CP Large calls launched in July Search gov.uk for Countryside Productivity LEADER Search gov.uk for Leader (this is the third site that comes up) 21

22 Thankyou! JOHN SIMMONS Rural Development Manager Operations Team RPA Eastbrook, Shaftesbury Road Cambridge CB2 8DR