SNP Government have mishandled SRDP funds (East Renfrewshire Liberal Democrats)

East Renfrewshire Liberal Democrats <info@eastrenfrewshirelibdems.org.uk>

SNP Government have mishandled SRDP funds

December 6, 2010 5:29 PM
Originally published by Scottish Liberal Democrats

Liberal Democrat Rural Affairs spokesman Liam McArthur MSP says the Scottish Government have mishandled Scotland Rural Development Programme (SRDP) funds, as new projects funded by the scheme are approved.

Commenting, Liam McArthur said:

"The value of these funds to our rural communities cannot be over-stated. The latest awards demonstrate once more the variety of projects that have come to rely on the funding that is available under SRDP and which are so important to so many local communities across Scotland.

"That is why the Scottish Government's mishandling of these funds, particularly under the Rural Priorities scheme, is so alarming. Those looking to apply for funds have not been helped at all by repeated changes to eligibility criteria, sometimes after the deadline for submitting applications, and lengthy delays in reaching decisions and paying out awards.

"It takes a good deal of time, effort and money to prepare bids under these schemes. They remain a vital part of sustaining a wide range of activities across rural Scotland, but Scottish Ministers must accept that they have made life far more difficult for those seeking to apply, including many of those who have been successful."