Crofting Counties Agricultural Grants (Scotland) 2008 Scheme (CCAGS)

CCAGS is designed to provide assistance towards improving the infrastructure of crofting and eligible small/medium scale agricultural businesses operating in the Highlands and Islands of Scotland.

By aiding and developing agricultural production on crofting businesses, the principle objective of CCAGS is to sustain the economic basis and way of life and so help retain population in crofting areas.

The Main features of the scheme are:

• Open to crofters, small farmers in the Crofting Counties of a similar status to crofters, and crofting groups (e.g. Grazings Committees).
• Grant rates set at 50% in less favoured areas and 40% elsewhere.
• Maximum grant for individuals is £25,000 over a 2-year period, and for groups is £125,000 over a 2-year period.
• Eligibility is limited to applications approved prior to work being carried out.
• Eligible operations include land improvement, agricultural buildings, provision of roads and services, and facilities for keeping livestock (a full list of eligible operations can be found at Appendix 1 of the Guidance Notes for applicants-link)

The future of CCAGS has been secured for the next 5 years through its inclusion in the Scotland Rural Development Programme (SRDP) 2007-2013.  Click here to view the SRDP web-site.  The budget for the 2008/09 financial year is £3 million. CCAGS is recognised as contributing to the following SRDP outcomes:

• Rural Development benefiting communities
• Thriving rural communities
• Populations retained in rural communities
• Sustainable land management practices

While you can download CCAG04 application forms and CCAG04a additional proposal forms from our website, they can also be obtained in hard copy from the Crofters Commission offices in Inverness, or from the network of Scottish Government Rural Payments and Inspections Directorate (SGRPID) offices throughout the crofting areas. All completed applications should continue to be submitted to the local SGRPID office in the usual way.  Click here to view list of SGRPID area offices.

From April 2008 a number of changes have been introduced to the Scheme, these include:

Quotations: The requirement to submit more than 1 quotation has been waived where the amount applied for is less than £2,000 and the costs are deemed to be reasonable.

Standard Costs: There will be no facility to apply for grants under Standard Costs. All applications have to be made on the basis of the actual costs to be incurred.

Labour Costs: Where the work is undertaken by either the applicant or an employee, the labour costs can also be applied for. The value of the labour element will be assessed by the local SGRPID office and will normally be based on Industry standards for each operation and the current Agricultural Wage Board rates.

Grant Assignations: There will be no facility to assign grant to a contractor or supplier. All Costs have to be incurred and paid prior to a payment being made. However it is possible to submit interim claims for work carried out and costs incurred and paid at agreed milestones prior to the completion of the project.

Statutory Penalties: Any claims submitted which include costs in excess of the grant amount approved, will be subject to penalties which will reduce the amount of grant paid.

Cross Compliance: Aid will only be granted to eligible agricultural businesses which meet the requirements of cross-compliance and Good Agricultural and Environmental Conditions (GAEC).