Grants for Equestrian Businesses. Gillian McKnight

Transcription

1 Grants for Equestrian Businesses Gillian McKnight

2 SRDP Targeted rural land-based businesses : farmers, crofters & foresters Must deliver national priorities identified by Scottish Government: Axis 1 Improving Business Competitiveness Skills development, Young Entrants to Farming Restructuring Agricultural Businesses, Business Audits & Specialist Plans Axis 2 Environment & Countryside Improving sustainability of farming & forestry agri-environment schemes Axis 3 Support for Diversification outwith Agriculture Rural Community facilities: Renewables, Tourist Facilities, Access, Leisure, Recreation, Sport Micro- Enterprises/Small Businesses 2

3 Diversification of Farm Enterprises Axis 1 examples Exit dairy enterprise, set up equestrian business: build large indoor riding arena, stables for livery, training & other events including riding for the disabled leverage of woodland planting 8k; 24k of rock contributed by business. Accepted in 2009 total project cost 250k 50% grant awarded Existing farm with National Hunt/ racing enterprise, proposed provision of 6.5 furlong all weather gallop & additional stabling which would increase employees by one - approved in total cost 90k Existing farm with National Hunt training yard provision of 20mx40m all weather arena to be used by pony club approved 50% grant 3

4 Diversification of Farm Enterprise Axis 1 examples Provision of a high quality mobile field maintenance service to horse owners and small holders no local competition to equine sector approved in 2010 total project costs 20k - 50% grant awarded Restoration of Vernacular building at 75% grant for livery use with additional livery provisions 50% grant awarded. 4

5 Unsuccessful Proposals Farm had diversified into breeding performance show jumpers in collaboration with BSJA trainer required stables and indoor school to expand c 95k total, rejected. Small farm diversified into large horse enterprise to offer facilities with coaching to local riding club, pony club & RDA - required stables & indoor arena - applied as young entrant < 40 years but failed to obtain required documents in time. 5

6 LEADER Axis 4 - LEADER Local Development Strategies, Local Co-operation Groups, Employment & Economic Growth Eligible applicants Local Action Groups, Constituted Organisations, Individuals Sponsored by Clubs, Bodies, Societies, Business Partnerships & Capital Companies, Legal Constituted Collaborations. Funding Conditions & Restrictions Some Monitoring & Evaluation requirements 6

7 LEADER Refurbishment of kitchen, toilet facilities in community indoor riding school 25k 7

8 Plan & Cost your Proposals 8

9 BUSINESS PLAN Assess business limiting factors, budget with 2 years accounts/profit & loss SWOT analysis Identify opportunities options appraisal Cost options return on capital Best fit with business Training & skills development 9

10 SRDP requirements Needs robust financial figures & appraisal Must help deliver national priority eg community benefit, FTE Evidence of some added value/ additionality eg access, wildlife Evidence of positive impacts eg feasibility study/business plan Evidence of reducing negative impacts eg renewables, waste management Collaboration is sought where possible links with other local business Two valid quotes (must be like for like ) for eligible items 10

11 Other sources Community Development Fund eg Orkney Islands Council funding for Indoor Arena Lottery Funding/ Sport Scotland Community Benefit Funds 11

12 New SRDP Priorities Enhancing the rural economy Supporting agricultural businesses Protecting and improving the natural environment Addressing the impact of climate change Supporting rural communities 12

13 New SRDP To open January 2015, subject to approval from the European Commission Roadshows in early 2015 Applications will be limited to one per holding, per scheme, per year 1.3 billion includes ERDF, domestic & transfer of funds from Direct Payments (9.5%) 13

14 Budget Allocations Less Favoured Area Support Scheme (LFASS) m Agri-Environment Climate Scheme 350m Forestry Grant Scheme m Beef package.. 45m New Entrants Support... 20m Support for Co-operative Action.. 10m Small Farms Support Scheme 3-50ha... 6m Crofting Support Scheme.. 14m Food and Drink Support 70m LEADER... 86m Knowledge Transfer and Innovation Fund (KITF) 10m Advisory Service m Broadband... 9m Technical Assistance.. 15m 14

15 New SRDP RPID, SNH, FCS involvement Additional support and mentoring will be delivered through the Advisory Service. Level 1 applications for grants up to 75,000 with continuous local approval. Level 2 applications for grants above 75,000 which will be considered nationally by an expert panel For forestry the threshold will remain at 750,000 15

16 Clearer Simpler Smarter Pre-populated forms, where possible All information and communications in one place Auto updates and reminders Up-to-date land maps Built-in error checks Manage your own account 16

17 New SRDP will be:- Simple with a clear list of schemes Straightforward through an improved application process for landbased schemes and a two tier approval process through a partnership between Scottish Government s Rural Payments and Inspections Division, Scottish Natural Heritage and Forestry Commission Scotland Effective through better targeting, support for co-operative action and improved advice, and closer alignment with other EU and domestic funds Customer focussed with improved guidance, enhanced customer support, an expanded advisory service and the Scottish Rural Network Accessible through targeted support for small farms and an improved application / approval process for grants under 75,000 for land-based schemes 17

18 Agri-Environment Climate Scheme 350m 10 million of targeted support for slurry stores 6 million for footpaths and other works to support access management Geographical targeting of agri-environment options Advice 18

19 More Targeting of Options Target maps for some grassland management options Need support from relevant organisation Training for agents & applicants 19

20 New Options? Improving access new & upgraded paths, core paths, links to core paths Allows for a range of widths (min1.2m, 1.5m, 1.8m or max2.5m) Technical specification Other items gates, styles, signs, benches, gates, culverts, tree safety New path unbound surface per sq. metre (eg. 1.8m wid New path semi-bound surface per sq. metre (eg. 1.8 Upgrade existing path per sq. metre (eg. 1.8m width path = per linear m) 20

21 Environmental Grants Cutting of Rush Pasture Creation & Management of Species Rich Grassland Hedges creation & management Amenity tree planting Woodland Planting Fences, gates, rabbit netting 21

22 SRDP eligibility Registered Agricultural Business > 3ha Register with RPID Business Registration Number Agents can advise or submit plans on your behalf need to sign AA1 to give agent authority to access on-line system 22

23 Scoping Study The Scale & Impact of the Equine Industry in Scotland Nathalie Micoud, Helene Mauchlen, Gillian McKnight, Jane Atterton

24 Current Trends in Horse Ownership Numbers of Equines passports & EU legislation requirement due to lack of traceability (food fraud) National Equine Database but many leisure horses were excluded Geographic Distribution increase around commuter belts, more small holdings. More horses kept on agricultural land. 24

25 Horses on Farms in Scotland 25

26 Key Information Expenditure - per horse 2k - 20k (racehorse) Benefits to Local Economy Benefits to People Welfare of Equines Database to be introduced 26

27 Equine Industry Statistics Statistics taken from UK wide data 2 nd biggest employer in the rural sector in UK Changes to land use, planning & environment Variation across the sector professional to leisure & tourism Contribution of ancilliary services & businesses arenas, new businesses in physiotherapy, equine sports massage, saddle fitting etc 27

28 Holdings in Scotland <0.3FTE & Horse Density 28

29 Gaps in Information & Provision Health & Wellbeing benefits for people/quality of life not widely recognised RDA & therapy funded privately Access to the Countryside off road riding is not widely available Breeding unco-ordinated & unregulated Pressures on Welfare Organisations Needs central co-ordination between organisations 29

30 Issues raised by the Industry Lack of specific financial & business advice Lack of awareness of local financial & business support Qualifications & training inconsistent Licensing of Premises inconsistent Pay, terms & conditions Passports & Licensing of Horses Horse welfare & over-breeding issues 30