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In line with due process, the joint Scottish Government/COSLA Settlement Distribution Group will make recommendations on the allocation mechanism for the funding at their next meeting on 15 November. COSLA Leaders will be asked to give their final sign-off on 25 November.

As soon as possible after that date we will be in a position to share further information.

The Scottish Government doesn’t want anyone to stay in a hotel or temporary accommodation for longer than necessary. We are therefore taking action to strengthen the matching process to help more displaced people access host or longer-term accommodation as quickly as possible. Through our review of the super sponsor scheme, we have identified a number of interventions to improve matching that we are already taking forward. This includes introducing a new digital matching tool to support the matching process.

This is in addition to the £11.2 million the Scottish Government has committed to Local Authorities to increase capacity of resettlement teams, support refurbishment of properties, help integration and enhance the pace of checks.

We have also introduced the £50 million Ukraine Longer Term Resettlement Fund: Ukraine Longer Term Resettlement Fund - gov.scot (www.gov.scot) . Through this Fund, the Scottish Government is working with Local Authorities and Registered Social Landlords to increase the number of homes available to support the longer term resettlement of displaced people from Ukraine, by improving and bringing void homes back into use. The Fund has so far provided over £400,000 to North Ayrshire Council and £6 million to Aberdeen City Council to increase the number of homes available to support displaced people.

The majority offshore wind projects in Scotland have not reached decommissioning stages as of yet with many in pre-development stages, compared to onshore wind, which is more developed. However, the onshore wind decommissioning and recycling of wind turbines will be used to guide the approach in offshore wind.

The Scottish Government fully supports, and encourages, the use of recycled and refurbished turbines, recognising the enormous potential to strengthen the Scottish supply chain, reduce waste, utilise more of our local skills and capabilities and improve costs for the onshore wind sector. For example Zero Waste Scotland (ZWS) is working to improve the circularity of the energy sector and provide support and advice to businesses looking to develop more circular business models, including the renewable industry. Its 2021 report ‘ The Future of Onshore Wind Decommissioning in Scotland’ estimates that as many as 5,600 onshore turbines could be decommissioned between now and 2050 and presented a range of recommendations to both the industry and to Government which would support a thriving circular economy in Scotland.

Furthermore, the National Manufacturing Institute Scotland (NMIS) is supporting the creation of a low carbon manufacturing base in Scotland by helping manufacturers adopt greener materials and innovative new technologies that help reduce waste during decommissioning through recycling and remanufacturing. NMIS, SSE Renewables and Renewable Parts are collaborating to secure a world leading UK-wind circular economy sector deal and reduce waste from wind farms at the end of their life.

The full scope is available to interested suppliers via the Public Contracts Scotland website and includes: 1) an overview of Scotland’s empty homes; 2) the key barriers and opportunities for bringing homes back into use; 3) an assessment of the effectiveness of current approaches and interventions; 4) suggestions on how these could be improved. We anticipate the exercise will be complete by summer 2023.

The Ayrshire Local Action Group received 7.2% of the overall allocation made by Scottish Government to the Community Led Local Development Fund equating to £533,604. The Scottish Government set a maximum amount each LAG could spend on staffing and resourcing. This was a maximum of 15% of their overall allocation or £57,143.

The contract duration for future Clyde and Hebrides Ferry Service contracts has yet to be determined, and will be informed by an evidence-led process including, consultation with key stakeholders; supplier engagement, and a review of international comparators.

The Ayrshire LAG and South Ayrshire Council Internal Audit have approved and undertaken technical checks on all projects applying for funding. Guidance on these checks is in the public domain.

https://www.south-ayrshire.gov.uk/media/5979/ARIA-Fund-Applicant-Guidance/pdf/ARIA_Fund_22

Only those projects that meet the technical checks progress for consideration by the Local Action Group. Of the twenty seven organisation that applied, seventeen of those progressed to the technical check stage, sixteen of which proceeded to assessment stage.

The Scottish Government is currently considering various options for the continuity of these lifeline ferry services to ensure that we continue to support the communities they serve. The services will be secured in accordance with all relevant legal provisions, including subsidy control and procurement legislation.

A Local Authority cannot apply alone for funding. This funding is not intended to replace core/statutory duties of Local Authorities. Local Authorities may however allocate funding to facilitate the commissioning of recruitment, upskilling and the rebuilding of the Local Action Group (LAG) but are not direct recipients of the funding.

Funding is allocated to Local Action Groups rather than single Local Authorities areas. Local Authority area spend is ongoing and unavailable at present. The LAG allocation breakdown is provided in the following table;

Local Action Group (LAG) Membership has continued with the LEADER membership that was based on a skills matrix. Plans to recruit new LAG members through a procurement process are planned. Representation will be drawn from the public sector, businesses/third sector and community interests.

LAG members may be representatives of wider rural bodies or applying on behalf of organisations they represent. LAG members are not permitted to participate in any decision making process where they have a conflict of interest. This is a standing item on the agenda for the LAG.

There is no allocation of funding to individual LAG members since decisions are taken as a collective LAG.