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LEADER Project Appraisal Form
(For use with accompanying prompts form)
Project Name Parish
ACTION 2 – JOINT PROJECT WITH CAIRNGORMS, No
HIGHLAND, MORAY, RURAL ABERDEENSHIRE AND
RURAL TAYSIDE LAGs-
Strategic Mink Control in Northern Scotland
Applicant’s Name/ Rivers and Fisheries Trusts of Scotland (RAFTS) – Registered Charity
Contact Details
Project Description Background
RAFTS principal objective is to support the conservation and enhancement of
native freshwater fish and their environments in Scotland. They are the
umbrella organisation for all Scotland’s 25 independent rivers and fisheries
trusts and support members in fundraising, project development and
management, training provision and national representation.
Mink is an aggressive opportunistic predator of a wide range of native species
of biological, ecological and economic importance including water vole, Atlantic
salmon, grouse, black-throated diver, red-throated diver, common scoter,
greenshank, redshank, lapwing, curlew, oystercatcher, snipe and several other
species of waterfowl. As such it threatens a number of the resources upon
which the local economy is based. e.g eco-tourism (including bird watching),
fishing, game birds. For example a 2004 report1 showed that if angling ceased
in the northeast and Highland regions of Scotland it would result in a loss of
£19.67m and £20.7m in angling expenditure, reducing the regions’ output by
£18.6m and £24.6m that would in turn reduce annual household income by
£9.3m and £12.5m and employment by 688 and 781 fte jobs respectively.
Project aims:
This project aims to eradicate and control mink numbers across a large
geographic area and therefore, help to preserve the valuable environments
and high quality biodiversity upon which many economic activities rely.
The protection of nationally significant populations of water voles, salmonids,
ground nesting birds and other native riparian biodiversity by establishing a
sustainable management framework to create and maintain an area free of
breeding mink extending from the mid-Tay to the South Esk, around the east
coast to the River Nairn; with a belt reaching from Dornoch and Cromarty on
the east to Ullapool on the west.
Key outcomes of the project will be:
A mink free zone extending from the mid-Tay to the South Esk, around
the east coast to the River Nairn; with a belt reaching from Dornoch and
Cromarty on the east to Ullapool on the west;
A sustainable locally based management framework to prevent future
recolonisation of mink free areas; and
1
http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2004/03/19079/34369
1
An engaged network of informed volunteers that participate in mink and
other invasive non native control and eradication initiatives.
The project will implement a strategic programme of mink control by a
dedicated team of officers who will ensure the sustainability of the project by
recruiting and maintaining a network of trained volunteers to expand and
enhance the trapping activities and, therefore, the control effort. In addition the
project will link directly with other activities associated with other invasive non-
native control activities undertaken by fishery trusts, boards and other bodies.
Specific project activities are:
Establishment and maintenance of a network of volunteers;
Training of volunteers to operate a network of mink rafts (for detection)
and traps (for eradication and humane dispatch) with technical support
from dedicated project officers.
Monitoring of the project’s effectiveness;
Identification of, provision of training and technical support to, local
organisations and adaptive management systems for long term control;
Establishment of a locally based rapid response system;
Production and dissemination of awareness materials including a
website; and,
Maintenance of close links between research and management.
41, 411, 412, 413, 421, 431 – circle number (AF7.3; CI4)
SRDP Measure
New
LEADER Theme Revitalising Rural Community
Markets &
Communities Capacity
Products
Conservation of
Progressive Rural
the Rural x
Economy
Environment
2
PROJECT FUNDING ( see Annex 2)
Eligible project costs Date Cash costs £ In kind costs £ Total Costs £
Project Officer 296,366 296,366
Project Coordinator 79,701 79,701
Professional fees 11,169 11,169
Travel costs 80,523 80,523
Rental & operating premises 31,900 31,900
Mobile Phone Costs 7,250 7,250
Equipment & Consumables 63,936 63,936
Insurance costs 4,833 4,833
Awareness & Training 43,452 43,452
Publicity and PR - -
Project Management 40,622 40,622
Trap deployment & surveillance 116,000 116,000
Total 659,753 116,000 775,753
12.2 Please give details of your match funders
Name Date Amount £ Public/Private/In kind
SNH confirmed 307,735 Public
Tubney Charitable Trust confirmed 100,000 Private
Fisheries Trusts confirmed 11,600 Private
Fisheries Trusts confirmed 116,000 In Kind
CNPA confirmed 8,932 Public
Total 544,267
Total cost of project Eligible costs % rate of grant Grant requested
(covering all LAG Areas) (All LAG Areas) requested on
eligible costs
£919,295 £775,753 30.0% £ 231,486
Cairngorms LAG 14.18% of Grant £32,828
Highland LAG 27.88% of Grant £64,529
Moray LAG 6.98% of Grant £16,169
Rural Aberdeenshire LAG 27.23% of Grant £63,029
Rural Tayside LAG 23.73% of Grant £54,929
Development Officer’s Assessment:
Comments:
This is well thought out and planned Action 2 project. There have been extensive discussions
between the 5 LEADER areas and costs have been accurately detailed and explained. The applicant
agreed to delay the start of the project in order to facility these joint discussions.
Start date now: January 2011 end date August 2013 ( exceeds the 2 year SG guidance but is
requested by the applicant to achieve end results)
Rural Tayside and Cairngorms have approved their contribution to the project. The remaining LAGs
will consider this project no later than November 2010.
3
Confirm that all match funding is in place
The application has the full support of SNH, University of Aberdeen and Scottish Wildlife Trust and
as such is scientifically rigorous in its approach.
Wide community involvement is sought over the course of the two years and all Fisheries Trusts
have confirmed their support to the project.
A volunteer recruitment policy has been put in place
Outputs are realistic and cost are accurately detailed
Recommend that if the LAG approve this project the following pre payment and post payment
conditions are applied:
Pre payment:
Confirmation of outstanding match funding
Confirm if applicant will be working with young children – if yes _ Insist on CPP
Copy of job descriptions
Copy of Memorandum of Agreement between 4 key partners
Post Payment:
6 monthly reports – against milestones/outputs identified in the application
Report on volunteer involvement
Copy of jobs adverts
STJ for Prof X Lambin
In kind rates accurately recorded
Are all relevant permissions in place? YES NO
Notes
Is the application to be assessed directly by the Strategic LAG? YES NO
ASSESSMENT CRITERIA
1. To what extent does the application meet the objectives and priorities of the LEADER Programme
as expressed in the LEADER Business Plan and subsequent local development plans? Also, how
well does the application link with other relevant projects or strategies? (SOA)
The project addresses four of the challenges described in the Highland Leader local development strategy
and business plan namely:
Land and Environment: Through contributing to the protection of biodiversity in the Highland region the
project will also contribute to the management goals and objectives of 36 SACs, 23 SPAs and 90 SSSIs.
The area’s natural and cultural heritage: As mink is a significant and adaptable opportunistic predator of a
wide range of native and game species of biological, ecological and economic importance2, it threatens a
number of the resources upon which the local economy in Highland region is based e.g. angling, shooting
and nature based tourism. Control and eradication of mink will therefore contribute to safeguarding the
natural heritage of the and cultural heritage of the area.
2
These include: water vole, Atlantic salmon, black-throated diver, red-throated diver, common scoter, greenshank, redshank,
lapwing, curlew, oystercatcher, snipe and several other species of waterfowl
4
Access to Training: The Highland Leader Local Development Strategy and Business Plan recognises the
voluntary sector, and volunteering, as a significant feature of life in the Highlands and Islands. An important
aspect of the project will be the extent to which volunteer and community support for the mink monitoring
and control activities is generated and retained over the project period. Volunteers will provide the greatest
percentage of the overall trapping and mink control effort of the programme.
Local employment: The project will help safeguard a number of the resources upon which the local
economy and employment is based. e.g eco-tourism (including bird watching), fishing, game birds. For
example a 2004 report3 showed that if angling ceased in the Highland region of Scotland it would result in a
loss of £20.7m in angling expenditure, reducing the region’s output by £24.6m that would in turn reduce
annual household income by £12.5m and employment 781 fte jobs. Grouse shooting, another corner stone
of the Highland economy that supports a large of jobs and a way of life is also threatened
The project implements the strategic approach to mink control proposed and endorsed by SNH’s Scientific
Advisory Committee. It also implements, contributes and/or supports the following key policieis and
strategies:
Rural Scotland: Better Still, Naturally – Priority 3 Sustaining and making the most of its natural and
cultutal heritage.
Scotland’s Sustainable Development Strategy Priority 2 and Priority 4 as well as Leader priorities
Sustainable Communities and Sustainable Tourism Development
UKBAP for protecting water voles and other species of conservation importance by removal of mink a
key predator of those species thereby contributing to UKBAP targets;
GB Invasive Non-native Species Strategy Framework;
Species Action Framework;
Biosecurity Plans and Fisheries Management Plans of the Kyle of Sutherland, West Sutherland,
Cromarty Firth, Ness and Beauly, Wester Ross, and Findhorn, Nairn and Lossie Fisheries Trusts.
These plans, in turn, contribute to the relevant Water Framework Directive River Basin and Area
Management Plans;
2. To what degree does the proposal meet the LEADER Programme’s outputs and outcomes?
Include any additional outcomes
Project Output How
many Please explain
No. best practice models 1 The project will pilot and test the effectiveness
transferred local control of key INNS over a large
geographical area. The experiences and lessons
from this project will be relevant to broader INNS
prevention and control work in Scotland, other
parts of the UK and Europe.
No. innovative projects 1 Will establish an innovative community based
(products or processes approach for the effective control of mink and
developed) other INNS that are a major threat to the natural
environment and the businesses it supports.
No. networks established 1 The project will establish a network of local
organisations and over 50 volunteers to be
involved in its activities that include but are not
restricted to local wildlife management
organisations e.g. the Fisheries Trusts and
Boards, RSPB, Scottish Wildlife Trust; sporting
estate and recreational fisheries staff (e.g. game
keepers and ghillies); landowners and residents.
No. of training courses >4(>.8) At least two training courses per year will be
3
http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2004/03/19079/34369
5
delivered/learning projects delivered. These courses will build the network’s
capacity to establish and maintain an effective
mink monitoring and trapping network and
identification and management of other INNS.
No. of participants that >20(>50) All volunteers will receive training in establishing
successfully ended a training and maintaining mink surveillance as well as in
activity gaining new skills or the identification of other INNS and species of
re-skilled high conservation importance.
No. of community capacity 1 Will develop capacity of theKyle of Sutherland,
building projects West Sutherland, Cromarty Firth, Ness and
Beauly and Findhorn, Nairn and Lossie Fisheries
Trusts and the Spey Foundation, the Conon,
Ness and Beauly, Kyle of Sutherland and West
Sutherland Salmon Fisheries District Boards to
address mink and other INNS. It is envisaged
that other interested local groups will be
identified in the course of the project
No. of community groups >10 Advise and assist the Kyle of Sutherland, West
advised/assisted Sutherland, Cromarty Firth, Ness and Beauly and
Findhorn, Nairn and Lossie Fisheries Trusts and
the Spey Foundation, the Conon, Ness and
Beauly, Kyle of Sutherland and West Sutherland
Salmon Fisheries District Boards to address mink
and other INNS. It is envisaged that other local
groups will be identified in the course of the
project
Gross number of jobs 1.25 Fisheries and Conservation
created
Other
Additional Outputs:
No. awareness raising At least 2 awareness raising events will be held
>4(>8)
events in each phase either in conjunction with other
activities such as game fairs or as part of
designated biodiversity days. In Years 1 & 2
these will be primarily focussed on mink to assist
in establishing the monitoring network with a
greater focus on other INNS in Year 3 to facilitate
use of the established network to address other
INNS issues.
No. of joint projects within The project will be implemented over and require
1
the UK cooperation of 5 leader areas
3. How well does the project address the community’s needs, evidence community benefits &
promote community involvement? What evidence is there of community support for the project?
The project will involve, and is supported by, a wide range of partners and participants6 including national
government agencies, conservation and local organisations, estates and the general public with an
anticipated network of over 200 trained volunteers. Volunteers will be sourced from local organisations and
wildlife professionals, local volunteer organisations. Over thirty letters of support from a wide range of
organisations have been obtained to date
Technical report and academic paper submitted for publication demonstrates the project’s technical
feasibility in terms of mink monitoring and eradication.
The need for mink control in the Highland Leader area has been recognised at both local and national level.
Support for mink control and the project has been obtained from a wide range of community and local
institutions and organisations as well as national level institutions (see Table below).
6
Estates
Fisheries Trusts and Boards
Cromarty Firth Fisheries Trust* Langwell Estate, Ullapool **
Findhorn, Nairn and Lossie Fisheries Trust* Skibo Estate, Dornoch
Institute of Fisheries Management* Dounie Estate, Ardgay
Kyle of Sutherland District Fisheries Board* Alladale Estate **
Kyle of Sutherland Fisheries Trust* Letterewe Estate (little Gruniard)
Ness and Beauly Fisheries Trust* Scottish Estates Business Group*
West Sutherland Fisheries Trust*
Wester Ross Fisheries Trust
National Institutions with Interests in
Highland
Other Local Organisations Association of Salmon Fisheries Boards*
Aigas Field Centre GB Non Native Species Secretariat (Food
and Environment Research
Agency/DEFRA) *
Assynt Foundation** Scottish Environment Protection Agency*
Assynt Field Club ** Scottish Government - Marine Scotland*
Dunearn Farm Glenfurness Nairn* Scottish Native Woods*
Forestry Commission North Highland Forestry
District* Scottish Natural Heritage*
Highland Council* Scottish Wildlife Trust*
Highland Council Ranger for Easter Ross ** UKBAP*
Loch Fleet Reserve
Organisations with interest but not yet
Ospisdale Farms ** committed
Skye and Lochalsh Environment Forum* Sutherland Partnership Biodiversity
Group
Dingwall Academy
Tain Field Club
* Letter of support obtained
** Letter of support expected
A significant aspect of the project will be the extent to which volunteer and community support for the mink
monitoring and control activities is generated and retained over the project period. Volunteers will provide a
significant percentage of the overall trapping and mink control effort of the programme.
The Volunteers involved in the project will consist of of two different types;
Professionally interested
Volunteers of this type will, generally, undertake mink trapping activities as part of their professional or
current job activities. E.g. water bailiffs, estate workers, reserve wardens in recognition of the fact that
mink control has a direct benefit or relevance to their employment activities.
Personally interested
Volunteers of this type will, generally, undertake mink trapping activities outside of their current job or
professional activities in recognition of the desire to contribute to the protection and enhancement of the
local natural environment, biodiversity or in association with a hobby or recreational activity e.g. angler,
bird watcher, citizen / community member, amateur naturalist.
7
The project will recruit volunteers in a range of different ways including the following:
a. Through known contacts, partner or supporting organisations with employees that may offer time to
the project due to professional interest;
b. By making contact with voluntary groups that may offer time from personally interested volunteers;
c. By the active recruitment of volunteers by the project officers following, and as a result of, project
awareness, publicity and information activities including:
a. Delivery of presentations to interest groups and communities;
b. Preparation of project materials and information literature;
c. Use of local press and media to publicise the project and its activities and to promote
volunteering.
d. By the project website which will allow prospective volunteers to learn of the project and notify the
project of a wish to become involved regardless of location.
e. By using other initiatives where volunteers may be recruited including “Volunteering Highland”
(www.volunteeringhighland.org) and the contacts of the principal and supporting project partners.
4. Does the applicant have the capacity to deliver and is the project achievable?
The project will be managed by the Rivers and Fisheries Trusts of Scotland (RAFTS) on behalf of a
partnership that also includes Scottish Natural Heritage, the University of Aberdeen and the Scottish Wildlife
Trust. RAFTS is acting as the e lead partner. A memorandum of Agreement for teh implementation of this
project exists between the 4 principle partners. This grouping has the necessary scientific, technical and
practical experience to deliver this project.
They have also identified the importance of local volunteers and identified the different ways in which local
communities over and above the Trusts will /can get involved in the project.
RAFTS is is the umbrella organisation for 13 rivers and fisheries trusts across Scotland .
The project will employ five full time staff equivalents, four locally based project officers and a project
coordinator to be based at Aberdeen University. One project officer will be based in each of the Cairngorms,
Aberdeenshire, Highland and Tayside Leader areas.
The project will also work in cooperation with Leader supported INNS project in the Deveron, Bogie and Ilsa
catchments and in Skye.
Key Milestones have been supplied
Risks and mitigation procedures identified in the application.( mink re-establishment and volunteer
motivation - -creation of defensible mainland island, identification of sinks for long term control,
establishment of skilled network of volunteers, monitor other species)
5. To what extent does the proposal address the needs of LEADER target groups?
Stakeholder Cairngorms Moray Tayside Aberdeen Highland Total
Male age 3 1 5 5 6 20
under 25
Male age 25 13 6 21 24 24 88
and over
Female age 2 1 4 5 5 17
under 25
8
Female age 6 3 10 12 12 43
25 and over
Retired 2 1 3 4 4 14
Unemployed 1 1 1 1 1 4
People with 2 1 3 4 4 14
disabilities
Total 29 15 47 54 55 200
Micro >18 >9 >30 >30 >30
businesses7
6. How innovative is the project?
The project will be the first and largest of its kind to establish locally based management systems to
implement strategic INNS control over a large geographic area. It will do this by targeting and controlling a
high profile non native species, the mink, whilst at the same time reaching beyond this species to other
invasive non native species of plants to help ensure the sustainability of the control activities for all priority
species.
This approach is innovative in its desire to implement such controls and management across such a wide
area and to an expanding portfolio of target species. In the past such projects have been relatively local and
species specific. It is envisaged that the approach of this project will provide a model for the prevention and
control of other INNS and the expansion of mink control to other parts of Scotland
7. Does the project evidence economic, social and environmental sustainability?
INNS are a threat to the natural resources and aesthetics of the region upon which a significant part of the
local economy currently depends (fishing, shooting, and nature based tourism) and which also have further
development potential. The project will contribute to the safeguarding of these economic activities as well as
future development potential by the establishment of a locally based management system to tackle mink and
subsequently other INNS.
As well as protecting the current value of the region’s natural environments and ecosystems to the local
economy through the control of mink, economic growth will be supported through the controls by allowing the
environments protected to be progressively marketed and promoted as free from invasive non native
species. This “environmental premium” is a genuine one and one upon which many of the economic
activities of the area are already based and utilise. Materials, literature and publicity information made
available through all distribution media (hard copy, website, presentations etc) will emphasise and promote
these benefits.
The project will recruit and involve volunteers from a broad range of social backgrounds to work together in a
coordinated and systematic manner for the prevention and control of a flagship invasive non native species.
It is envisaged that success in controlling mink will demonstrate the concerted action can be successful
against INNS and encourage participants to address other INNS species affecting the Highland area.
By controlling and eradicating mink populations in a strategic, sustainable, science based and targeted way
the project will:
Improve the overall quality of the environments which are currently compromised by the presence of
mink. Their removal will help to restore the integrity of the high quality ecosystems of the area and
which are currently threatened by mink presence;
Improve the conditions for a range of other species upon which the mink predates (see list above) by
removing the predator and allowing the native species numbers and populations to function normally;
Prevent the further spread of mink to neighbouring areas where populations are currently absent and
so protect the native ecosystems and species which exist there;
By expanding and linking the priority mink control activities to other invasive non native species,
particularly plants such as Giant Hogweed, Himalayan Balsam and Japanese Knotweed, deliver
9
combinations of control activities to manage and eradicate these species and so provide more
complete and comprehensive improvements to natural ecosystems, habitats and conditions for native
species; and
By promoting the priority mink control and parallel activities on other non native invasive species to the
public build a wider knowledge and increased capacity to understand the impacts of non-native species and
empower individuals to contribute to control programmes to increase the impact and level of environmental
protection and improvement possible.
The long term sustainability of the project’s work is secured by the realisation of its outputs and outcomes
namely:
The establishment of a skilled and resourced network of local organisations and volunteers that will continue
long term monitoring and, if required, the strategic control of mink in areas where breeding mink have been
eradicated in the course of the project. A soon to be published study by Aberdeen University has shown that
retention rates of volunteers involved in mink control is between 75%-95% % per 6 months. The
involvement of a highly motivated workforce with a professional (fisheries) or personal interest in biodiversity
is one major asset of the project. Once empowered by the success of initial removal, experience from the
previous projects is that a large core group of volunteer remains highly motivated to maintain or extend the
achievement.
The raising of awareness of the applicability of the project’s community based and management approach to
other invasive non native species will facilitate the integration of mink control into other INNS control
programmes. This integration will increase the coordination, efficiency and effectiveness of INNS prevention
and control initiatives.
1. Transfer of coordination mink control work to the local partners; and,
2. Diversification of the work of the networks to address other current and future INNS issues in the area
particularly the activities described in the Biosecurity Plans. Continued mink monitoring and control will then
become part of these broader INNS prevention and control activities. Any detected re-invasion of mink will
activate a rapid response mechanism to eradicate the animals from the area in question. The rapid response
mechanism will complement the rapid response mechanisms currently under development through the work
of the GB Non Native Species Secretariat.
Therefore mink prevention and control work will be incorporated into broader INNS work that, in turn, will be
eventually incorporated into the working practices of the local organisations. This will be facilitated by the
lower costs associated with the use of a community based approach to INNS prevention and control by
skilled local organisations and volunteers. Funding for specific actions will be raised by the local
organisations and/or the RAFTS Biosecurity and INNS Programme from a number of private or government
funding sources.
8. Does the project offer value for money and demonstrate economic impact?
The total LEADER costs are shared between 5 LEADER areas and this equates to 30% (£231,486) of the
total project costs (£775,753). Highlands is being asked to contribute 27.8% or £64,529 towards the total
LEADER costs which is an accurate reflection of the geographic area being covered in Highland as a
proportion of total geographic area being targeted.
The geographic coverage of the project has been initially determined by the strategic approach to mink
control proposed and endorsed by SNH’s Scientific Advisory Committee. Although the project only covers
26% of Highland region (compared to 100% of other regions) at present it still cover 6,522 km 2 which
constitutes 31.65% of the total project area (see table below). This is greater area coverage than any other
Leader area.
% of Mink Project in
Area within: Hectares each LAG area
Cairngorms 381,660.73 18.52%
10
Highland 652,251.31 31.65%
Moray 185,321.83 8.99%
Rural Aberdeenshire 486,650.62 23.62%
Rural Tayside 335,824.70 16.30%
Rest (Aberdeen City) 18,837.58 0.91%
2,060,546.7
Total Project area 6 100%
Economic impact will be achieved once mink are eradicated from the areas and natural resources
safeguarded for the future. A new and enhanced skills base will also be established within the network of
volunteers which can easily be transferred to other areas of site monitoring work.
Detailed costs have been provide and are appended to the end of this assessment. The project will comply
with Leader recruitment and procurement procedures. i.e. quotes will be sought for all items of expenditure
and posts will be openly advertised. In kind rates will comply with the Scottish government guidelines with
the exception of Professional Fees ( Prof X Lambin) who will deemed as a expert in this field and will be
dealt with under a single tender justification.
9. What evidence is there of additionality?
Leader funding is required to allow the project to proceed on the geographic scale that is required to make it
effective and deliver quality activities and outcomes. The geographic scale of the project makes application
to SDRP with its application procedure on a land owner level impractical.
Leader funding is required to supplement existing match funding. Without LEADER funding the currently
approved funds are not sufficient to allow the project to proceed at a level which will achieve the project
objectives, achieve milestones and mitigate risks.
The project officer must specify whether the client is a firm in difficulty, whether the proposed
assistance is a state aid and record the result in the table below.
When State Aid is present, record which Scheme or De Minimis is being used and confirm that
proposed assistance conforms to State Aid scheme rules.
RESULT:
STATE AID TEST: Record of State Aid appraisal result: The proposal has State Aid present, or
been assessed against the 4 criteria below. When all four criteria are State Aid Not present
met, State Aid is present .
Criteria Is the criteria met?
1 Is there a transfer of state resources? YES
2 Is economic advantage provided to a commercial undertaking NO
3 Is the advantage given selectively to one pr more specific firms?
4 Does competition exist and is there potential for trade between
the UK and another country in the market concerned
10 (a). State Aid limits exceeded?
10 (b). If yes, is project covered by relevant exemption(s)?
Notes
There is no commercial activity being undertaken: although long term
economic benefits should be secured as and when mink are eradicated.
All posts will be openly advertised
11. Does the application demonstrate commitment to equal opportunities?
11
The project does not seek to put in place barriers to community access and participation in its activities but
recognises the need to take practical steps and actions to combat those that do exist.
There will be no restrictions to the recruitment of paid staff or unpaid volunteers of the project on the basis of
sex, race or ethnicity, gender or transgender, religion or faith, sexuality or age.
We recognise that the wide geographic spread of the total project raises potential barriers to participation.
Principally these are:
Geographic location (transport constraints, isolated communities and being outside core project area)
Timing of delivery (exclusion due to childcare or other care or work commitments)
Disability (the physical nature of many project tasks will require a certain level of fitness to allow tasks
to be undertaken safely)
Lack of awareness of project and activities (participation is limited to those who are aware of the
project)
Skills and knowledge gaps (certain skills are required of project staff and volunteers)
In recognising the potential barriers to community access and participation the project has also recognised
the need to address these. See annex 1 for mitigation measures.
12. Does the application contribute towards promotion of the Gaelic language?
Although the project does not put in place barriers to community access and participation in its activities it
has recognised the need to take practical steps and actions to combat those that do exist (see Section 4.5 of
Application). However, the project will not make an active contribution to the Gaelic language.
Additional Comments (including evidence of transferability and scope to roll out to other areas)
The aim of this project is to share lessons learned and transfer the approach to the management and
control of other INNS across Scotland
Local Area Partnership’s Recommendation: Approval Deferral Refusal
Any additional comments/conditions (set clear conditions to offset project issues):
Signed: Date:
Local Development Officer
Signed: Date:
Chairperson/Vice Chairperson
12
Appendix 1
4.6 Please explain how the project proposes to address these barriers and how you intend to
involve the local community in your project
The project has listed the principal potential barriers to community and citizen engagement and participation
in 4.5 (above). We have set out the strategy and actions proposed to mitigate these potential barriers below.
Potential Barrier Action to alleviate What will be achieved When will
barriers and be measured achievements be made
Geographic location: Need to travel Information will be Website active
Transport minimised via use of accessed by any in first 4 months of
constraint; video conference person regardless of project.
Isolation; meetings and website / location for website. Video
Outside core written information Website hits will be conference
area. dissemination logged. meetings possible
materials. Attendees at from start of and
Website video conference throughout project.
information will allow meetings will be Training events
isolated communities to logged. scheduled
be informed. Website Volunteers from throughout project
recording of mink any location will be period.
sightings and trained by the project Volunteer base
submission of volunteer and base locations of location information
information online will event attendees will recorded as
support volunteer be recorded. volunteers are
involvement. Base locations of recruited. Project
Training volunteers will be response to areas of
opportunities in project recorded and areas of non-participation as
activities will be made non-participation required and in
available to interested identified to allow response to actual
parties outside the core volunteer recruitment project need.
project area (capacity there to be targeted. Online sightings
allowing) The volume of and volunteer
mink sighting reports records recorded
and volunteer activity when website live
reports submitted and throughout
online will be project.
recorded.
Timing of delivery: Volunteer trapping Volunteer Volunteer
Care and mink raft activities activities will be activities recorded
commitments; can be undertaken at recorded to identify from start and
Work any time in the day time of activity. throughout project
commitments. making it possible for A record of all period.
those with care or other project meetings will Meeting records
work commitments to be retained to monitor retained throughout
participate as meeting times and project period.
volunteers. locations. Website hits
Necessary public Hits to website recorded when
meetings may be held will be recorded. website established
in the evenings to allow (first 4 months of
greater attendance by project).
those with working or
care commitments.
Project materials
made available online
to allow 24 hour
access.
Disability: A certain level of Risk assessments Site risk
physical capability is will be undertaken to assessments
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required to undertake identify sites where undertaken as sites
field based activities participation by the become active and
safely. disabled is more or accumulated
The project will less likely. throughout project.
facilitate the Number of Disabled
participation of the disabled participants participation, where
disabled by seeking to will be recorded and and when possible,
minimise the risk of monitored. possible throughout
participation e.g by use project period.
of “buddies” to
accompany disabled to
sites and the
identification of project
locations more suited to
safe disabled access.
Lack of awareness The project will Website Website
prepare a dedicated promotion will established within
website where a range increase awareness first 4 months of
of information materials of project. Hits to project. Hits
will be made available; website will be recorded from
Local press and measured. website launch date.
media will be used to A log of local Press and
highlight the project; press and media media activities
The project activities will be made commence at
partners will publicise as a measure of the project launch and
the project on their own extent of awareness maintained
websites and materials; raising activities to throughout period.
Other awareness local communities. Log of activities
activities e.g. delivery Partner websites maintained
of presentations and will direct interested throughout project.
talks and attendance at parties to the new Links from
local shows are project website. This partner website
scheduled in the project will generate a flow of established in
activities. interest to the project parallel with project
from those currently website (4 month for
interested in the project start).
partner activities. Presentation
The number of and show
presentations made attendance possible
and shows attended from start and
will be recorded. throughout project.
These actions will Record of these
ensure the presence activities
of the project to established at start
further communities and maintained
of potential interest. throughout project.
Skills and knowledge Skills and Training records System for
gaps knowledge gaps may project staff will be training records
exist in potential project retained. established at
officers and/or potential Training events project
volunteers. will be offered and commencement.
Training will be required of all Training offered
provided to project staff volunteers, including throughout project
as part of the project interested parties for period.
commitment to staff outside the core Volunteer
development. project area where competence after
Training will be this can be training provided
provided to all accommodated throughout project
volunteers in the without threat to period.
project activities to achievement of the
allow those with no core project activities.
prior experience to Volunteer training
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participate when and competence will
required levels of be confirmed to all
competence are volunteers to approve
confirmed. their participation.
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