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esep : news
important notice
future application rounds
I am writing to remind you of the scheduled deadline dates for receipt of ERDF applications for the remainder of the 2000 – 2006 Objective 2 Programme and on current commitment levels. I am also including details of the criteria set by the Programme Management Committee for the receipt and appraisal of partner requests for extensions to currently approved revenue projects.
Agreed Application Deadlines
The Programme Monitoring Committee agreed a revised planning schedule in April 2004 which reduced the number of application rounds from 3 to 2 in 2005 and 2006. This was done to reflect the increasingly high numbers of projects being approved and the consequent large reduction in available grant resources in certain operational measures. It will also enable more staff time to be dedicated by the Programme Executive and partner organisations towards project implementation and monitoring. This revised planning schedule was immediately posted on the website as Diary Dates.
As the next deadline date will soon be upon us, I am keen to remind all partners of the agreed planning schedule for the remainder of the Programme in order to enable you to effectively plan the development of new projects. Please remember that projects should not have commenced prior to the date of the Programme Management Committee at which you are seeking approval. The various dates are listed for your attention below:
| DESCRIPTION |
AGREED DATE |
ERDF Application Deadline
Advisory Group Meetings
Programme Management Committee |
19 January 2005
7 February 2005 – 4 March 2005
31 March 2005 |
ERDF Application Deadline
Advisory Group Meetings
Programme Management Committee |
26 August 2005
19 September 2005 – 28 October 2005
9 December 2005 |
ERDF Application Deadline
Advisory Group Meetings
Programme Management Committee |
18 January 2006
6 February 2006 – 3 March 2006
31 March 2006 |
ERDF Application Deadline
Advisory Group Meetings
Programme Management Committee |
25 August 2006
18 September 2006 – 27 October 2006
24 November 2006 |
Current Commitment Levels in Programme and Remaining Grant Resources
In preparation for the next application round, I have provided below a full update on the level of project commitments made to date in the Programme. These figures assume that the project decisions taken by the Management Committee on 10 December 2004 are confirmed by Scottish Ministers. Although some of the operational measures are notionally over-committed and consequently appear to have no grant available, I am not at this stage closing down any measures for new projects. Experience gained from implementing previous Structural Fund Programmes indicate that some modest amount of over-commitment is possible in order to compensate for underperformance from existing approved projects. Clearly this situation will change as the Programme moves towards closure and I will keep you informed of any key developments.
Measure
|
SPD Allocation (£)
|
Commitments to Date (£)
|
Remaining Balance (£)
|
| Measure 1.1 Eligible |
17,062,043
|
10,043,575
|
7,018,468
|
| Measure 1.1 Transition |
7,778,622
|
8,163,813
|
-385,191
|
| Measure 1.2 Eligible |
9,540,830
|
5,270,221
|
4,270,609
|
| Measure 1.2 Transition |
6,947,399
|
6,315,525
|
631,874
|
| Measure 1.3 Eligible |
11,479,050
|
11,375,308
|
103,742
|
| Measure 1.3 Transition |
4,243,770
|
2,986,163
|
1,257,607
|
| Measure 2.1 Eligible |
10,522,463
|
7,281,759
|
3,240,704
|
| Measure 2.1 Transition |
7,677,745
|
7,610,498
|
67,247
|
| Measure 2.2 Eligible |
45,726,552
|
41,924,457
|
3,802,095
|
| Measure 2.2 Transition |
20,499,148
|
20,176,412
|
322,736
|
| Measure 3.1 Eligible |
461,180
|
224,900
|
236,280
|
| Measure 3.1 Transition |
313,065
|
101,538
|
211,527
|
| Measure 3.2 Eligible |
20,834,128
|
12,925,604
|
7,908,524
|
| Measure 3.2 Transition |
9,607,617
|
9,214,851
|
392,766
|
| Measure 3.3 Eligible |
3,886,528
|
286,188
|
3,600,340
|
| Measure 1.3 Transition |
1,551,411
|
594,150
|
957,261
|
Extensions to Previously Approved Revenue Projects
The possibility of agreeing increased grant to existing and successful revenue projects to cover the costs of extending activity beyond their current completion dates was agreed at the last meeting of the Programme Management Committee as a way of maximising commitment levels. Some sponsors have already taken the opportunity to request additional phases and it was felt that all partners should be made aware of this possibility and the basis on which requests for revenue extensions will be assessed clearly outlined. With these points in mind and following consultation with the Scottish Executive as Managing Authority, the following criteria have been agreed:
- The ability to offer additional grant to extend activity will be dependent on the availability of resources in the appropriate operational measure;
- During appraisal, the previous performance of the project will be the key determinant as to whether additional ERDF grant is awarded for any new phase. Where possible, independent evaluations or testimonials should be provided in order to demonstrate effective past performance and continued market relevance. In addition, no new phases of a revenue scheme will be agreed unless sponsors ensure that all approved projects for which they hold a lead responsibility are in strict adherence with the ERDF Compliance Procedures regarding the quarterly submission of grant claims;
- The latest physical completion date for eligible projects approved in the current Programme will be 31 March 2008, with a financial completion date no later than 30 June 2008;
- The latest physical completion date for transition projects approved in the current Programme will be 31 December 2007, with a financial completion date no later than 30 June 2008;
- All co-finance required to support the new phase of the project will need to be in place to the satisfaction of the Programme Executive within 28 days of the Management Committee considering the request;
- Applicants seeking extensions to previously approved projects will be advised where possible to select an agreed application deadline date well in advance of the estimated completion date of the original application. This will ensure both a smooth transition between different phases of the revenue project and a continuity of activity;
- There are two advertised application deadline dates in 2005 and Management Committee meetings scheduled on 31 March 2005 and 9 December 2005. In recognition that most transition revenue projects are due to complete in 2005 and that the agreed dates for 2005 may not enable all applicants to do the necessary preparatory work in time to meet the next deadline date 19 January 2004 or be conducive for them in meeting their employer obligations, an additional special application round has been agreed. This special application round will only be for existing revenue projects seeking a continuation of activity. The deadline date will be Friday 20 May 2005 with all decisions made by 24 June 2005;
- For application purposes, where an old-style application form has been used for the original application, the extended period of activity should be treated as a new and separate project. All sponsors must use the new on-line application form for the new project and ensure that the original project is properly audited in the conventional way; and,
- For application purposes, where a new on-line application form has been used for the original application, the extended period of activity can be covered by a Notification of Change Form.
If you require any further information or indeed advice on any issues raised in this letter please do not hesitate to contact Nigel Thomas, Assistant Chief Executive.
GORDON McLAREN
CHIEF EXECUTIVE
15 December 2004
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