Highland & Moray FLAG
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Highland & Moray FLAG Operational Plan Introduction Introduced as a unique feature of the European Fisheries Fund (EFF) 2007-2014, Fisheries Local Action Groups (FLAGs) were set up to deliver the EFF Axis 4 funding programme and initiate a community-led approach towards the sustainable development of fisheries areas. FLAGs have since been established all over Europe and will now help deliver the Community-Led Local Development (CLLD) programme under the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund (EMFF) 2014-2020. Networking and co-operation between local partnerships is an essential feature of CLLD and a particular priority for EMFF in order to maximise the participation of fisheries and aquaculture sectors to fully exploit and benefit from the opportunities offered by maritime and coastal development. With this in mind, FLAGs have been encouraged at National level to consider amalgamating areas where it has been identified FLAGs may be strengthened by a collaborative approach and sharing of resources. Following discussions between partners, the decision has been taken to merge the existing Highland and Moray FLAG areas and establish a new partnership to deliver the CLLD programme. This document sets out the Operational Plan for the Highland Moray FLAG. FLAG Area The newly proposed FLAG area includes both Highland and Moray administrative regions and amalgamates the previous Axis 4 Highland and Moray FLAG boundaries covering 4985 kilometres of coastline and a population of 146,431. The main landing ports include Kinlochbervie, Lochinver, Ullapool, Portree and Mallaig on the West coast and Scrabster and Buckie on the East. In these areas, and in the many small harbours and piers found around the coastline, fishing and other maritime industries provide a vital source of jobs and income to communities. The FLAG area has been determined by selecting- 1. Census output areas adjacent to the coast To be deemed eligible, projects must be within the FLAG area but also demonstrate an association with fisheries or aquaculture to be considered for funding. A detailed description of the FLAG area including fisheries statistics and socio-economic profile is included in the respective Highland and Moray Local Development Strategy’s. Local Development Strategy Separate Local Development Strategy’s (LDS) have been produced for Highland and Moray areas as part of the European Rural Development Programme (ERDP) which covers both LEADER rural development funding and fisheries area development funding through EMFF. The FLAG will be responsible for the implementation of both the Highland & Moray LDS’s and the specific priorities that have been made for fisheries communities. As the budget available under EMFF is smaller than that of LEADER, in the likelihood that a project would be eligible for funding under both EMFF & LEADER, projects will be assessed on a project by project basis to determine the more suitable funding source. The Highland & Moray LDSs highlight the common issues faced by their respective communities. Common issues arising: high levels of self-employment majority of businesses small/micro decline in fishing related employment fishing communities face same industry issues greater dependency on jobs in agriculture, fishing and tourism an older/aging population young people leaving the area under developed tourism offer low GVA, GDP & full time pay low average household incomes high proportion of part time work disadvantaged geographical access to services Common themes for support: Need for skills and training Support for local supply chains Enhance tourism Support for small and micro-businesses Key Highland & Moray FLAG Priorities Stronger and more resilient fishing communities To protect fishing communities from further decline by investing in infrastructure that will allow communities to respond positively to challenges and opportunities. To build fisheries community capacity by supporting local development initiatives and co-operation between partners. - Support for infrastructure improvements to benefit the fisheries sector (particularly projects which address the landing obligation) including community ownership of fisheries related assets/businesses - Support to enhance co-operation and innovative ideas from within the fisheries sector A sustained, growing and diversified marine, coastal and aquaculture economy To strengthen local economies by providing support for new and existing businesses to target profitable and growing markets and stimulate job creation. To add value to local fisheries and aquaculture products throughout the consumer supply chain. To give communities the opportunity to diversify outwith fisheries and explore other marine related incomes. - Support for adding value to produce, marketing and promotion - Support for developing new skills and employment opportunities - Support for marine tourism - Support for local business initiatives tied to marine environment Improved understanding of marine environment and management of resources To promote initiatives that may conserve or enhance the marine environment with a view of long term sustainability. To reduce the environmental impact of the fisheries and aquaculture sectors through individual and co-operative action. To assist communities in reducing their carbon output through renewable energy schemes. - Support for marine environmental improvements and projects addressing climate change - Support for local research/management/education – (IFG plans/projects) Lead partner Role It has been agreed that The Highland Council will be the lead partner for the Highland & Moray FLAG. The role of the Highland Council as Lead partner will include: Acting on behalf of the Highland & Moray FLAG in reporting to Marine Scotland (Accountable Body) The first line of contact for all enquiries and complaints FLAG Structure The FLAG will oversee the delivery of EMFF funding in line with the integrated vision of the LDS bringing sectoral knowledge and expertise to facilitate the delivery of the Programme and determine project applications. When doing so the FLAG will monitor progress of delivery of EMFF and either through direct action via one of its partner organisations or through the encouragement of others, ensure the delivery of the Local Development Strategy. The Highland & Moray FLAG will select projects for recommendation to Marine Scotland who will be responsible for final project approval and issue of award (See Decision Making Process). The Highland & Moray FLAG will to report to both Highland and Moray Strategic LAGs who hold the overall responsibility for the delivery of the LDS to ensure achievement of its strategic vision. The FLAG will aim to meet on a quarterly basis at an appropriate location and venue within the FLAG area. The Highland & Moray FLAG covers a large geographical area which could potentially limit interaction and communication between the FLAG and fisheries communities. To help support the FLAG’s community engagement an Advisory Group will be established, in the first instance in Moray, to help build community capacity in local areas. Members of the Advisory Group will contribute valued local and sectoral knowledge and assist the FLAG in making project recommendations and promote CLLD principles. It is expected that the group will most likely correspond by email to the FLAG and that it would provide an opportunity for those who are unable to commit time to attend meetings to be involved in the work of the FLAG. The success of the proposed FLAG structure and the addition of the Advisory Group will be reviewed after the first year of operation. Highland & Moray FLAG Highland Strategic Moray Strategic LAG LAG Advisory Group FLAG Membership Community-led local development should be implemented through a bottom-up approach by local partnerships that are composed of representatives of the public, private and civil society sectors and that reflect correctly the local community. Membership of the Highland Moray FLAG and Advisory group will be determined by the following process: Representatives of appropriate community, business/third sector and public sector organisations will be invited to be members. A skills matrix will be undertaken of the membership and, where a skills shortage is identified either specialist advisers will be identified to support the work of each of the strategic, local or sectoral groups, and/or a public call for community and business/third sector individuals will be made Quorum The FLAG will be quorate when there are at least 5 voting members present – 3 of which must be either community or private/third sector. If more than 5 members are present, the required 51%/49% split between community /business/ third sector and public sector voting members must be achieved. Organisations will be encouraged to appoint substitutes to attend meetings on their behalf if the usual representatives are unable to attend. If the meeting is not quorate no decision can be taken but the meeting can discuss and make recommendations which in turn can be circulated to the wider membership for a decision to be taken by written/electronic procedure. The preference will always be to have meetings – be they in person and/or via video conference/skype/telecommunications to encourage dialogue and debate rather than taking decisions by written/electronic procedure. The Advisory Group will not have to meet quoracy requirements as a non-voting sub-group to the FLAG. Both the FLAG and Advisory Group will operate under an agreed Code of Conduct.