Data on the award of Australian Environmental Cleaning Services (AECS): EIR release

Information requested

You asked for clarification of the previous EIR response (202500455527):

1. Regarding what you showed re Species rich grassland management in AECS. Are those figures what was applied for in that year or the totality of the area that is managed under AECS (ie somewhere in years 1 – 5 of an AECS agreement)?

2. In addition, you asked for the following AR and Capital items, how do farm payments recipients submit any corresponding losses of these items.

AR items
AEC101-24 Species rich grassland creation and management – loss of SRG
AEC101-28 Wetland creation and management – loss of wetland
AEC101-51 Creation of hedgerows – loss of hedgerow

Capital items
Planting or replanting of hedges – loss of hedgerow
Primary treatment of invasive non-native plants- eg Japanese knotweed – increase in area of INN plants
Small scale tree and shrub planting – loss of shrubs or trees

Response

1. The figures are the area in hectares which attracted a payment for Species Rich Grassland Management option between 16 October 2022 and 15 October 2023 as it is based on the CAP Beneficiary data which is published annually. The area may have been claimed in years previous to 2023 with the payment being made within that specific period.

2. There is no specific form required for beneficiaries to notify RPID of a loss of any option or item. However, the process for making such changes is outlined in the variations guidance for contract holders seeking to modify their contracts for any reason.

In addition to the on-the-spot inspections carried out by RPID, the annual recurrent option claims submitted on the Single Application Form (SAF) are subject to monitoring, and where there is deviation in claimed area from that expected from the contract, errors are raised to highlight the fact. The deviation will then be investigated to determine the reason why an option claimed is less than the contract value and the results of that investigation would determine the consequence to the contract.

It is expected that capital items will be maintained throughout the duration of the contract and any subsequent undertaking period as specified in paragraph 8 of the contract. Specifically, for example, any losses of individual trees planted under the small-scale tree planting option are expected to be addressed through routine maintenance, and notification to RPID regarding such losses would not be required.

The contract contains the following clause:

8.4 Restrictions in Relation to Capital Items
8.4.1 if any part of the Grant has been paid for capital items, within a period of 5 years from the date of the final payment:-
8.4.1.1 not make any modification or change that will substantially affect the nature, usage or location of the capital item purchased;
8.4.1.2 not sell, exchange, give away or otherwise dispose of the capital item purchased;
8.4.1.3 without the prior written approval of the Scottish Ministers.

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