European Committee, 05 Nov 2001
Meeting date: Monday, November 5, 2001
Official Report
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Scottish European Structural Funds Forum
The next item on the agenda is the Scottish European structural funds forum. The papers have been circulated to members, whose comments would be helpful. Before we discuss the item, I notify members that one or two problems are still kicking about regarding structural funds payments.
One is the report of continuing problems with payments to the voluntary sector. Objective 3 payments are being particularly affected. Some voluntary organisations have reported significant delays in receiving their money and many of those organisations suffer genuinely from cash-flow problems. Organisations might have to lay off people and the viability of some organisations might be threatened. We have raised the payments issue on a number of occasions with objective 3 management and with ministers, but it still appears to be a problem. I hope that we can discuss the issue.
The review of structural funds is the other matter that we will have to return to—generally—following our previous work in examining the plans. We must consider how effective the structural funds are and how well they work. We are already examining some specific matters. We have visits planned to European Community-funded projects in north-east Scotland and, I think, Islay. I am sure that members will find those visits informative. I thank the Highlands and Islands partnership programme and the east of Scotland European partnership for their help in arranging the visits. I also thank the Scotch Whisky Association for its help on the water framework directive.
I open the meeting to comments and questions.
I agree with the convener's comments on the voluntary sector. I find the situation rather frustrating. We have been given assurances in the past and have gone back to the voluntary sector organisations in our constituencies and relayed those assurances. It is very frustrating to find that difficulties are emerging once again. I do not know whether we can take any further action. Will the committee be represented at the forum?
John Home Robertson will be there.
It is important that those points are made at the meeting.
Any ammunition would be helpful.
I have written several letters to the objective 3 partnership and to the minister. If there is still a problem, I suggest that we ask the Executive to come before the committee to discuss why those problems persist.