UK Government Timetable and review of strategic themes Will Morlidge BIS East Midlands and South East Midlands

EU Structural and Cohesion Funds The Structural and Cohesion Funds are the EU’s main funding programmes for supporting social and economic restructuring across the EU. In the UK, these funds are made up of the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), the European Social Fund (ESF), the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD) and the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund (EMFF). In the EU’s next funding round for 2014 to 2020, we want the funds to be easier to access, go further and be even better value for money for the UK taxpayer.

programme Single EU Growth Programme (ERDF, ESF and EAFRD) Regions no longer relevant LEPs to work with local partners develop of EU Structural and Investment Fund (ESIFs) strategies Notional allocations to LEP areas - SEMLEP: –€88m (ESF and ERDF) –€5.3m (EAFRD) England Operation Programme will combine LEPs’ ESIFs Government will negotiation with the Commission to secure agreement of the national Programme Allocations subject to annual review from 2017 and expectation that 7% held in reserve until 2019

The geographical element : Regions : LEP areas

LEP responsibilities Develop a coherent, evidence based strategy focusing on key thematic objectives Strategies must be shaped through working with wide range of partners Identify and help develop a pipeline of projects and identify match funding sources Work with DCLG to help projects spend allocation on time and deliver their contracted outcomes Not responsible for issuing call for bids, contracting and administering the funds (this remains with Government) Not responsible for negotiating with the Commission

ESF/ERDF Thematic Objectives Top ESIF priorities for Government in bold TO1: Innovation, technology development and research TO2: ICT TO3: SME competitiveness TO4: Low carbon TO5: Climate change adaptation TO6: Environmental Protection TO7: Sustainable Transport TO8: Employment TO9: Inclusion TO10: Skills

EAFRD priorities LEPs will be able to fund four types of activities from EAFRD: –Building knowledge and skills in rural areas –Funding new and developing micro- and small rural business –Funding small scale renewable energy and broadband investments in rural areas –Support for tourism activities in rural areas LEPs are free to use ERDF and/or ESF in rural areas

LEP partner engagement EU rules require involvement of wide range of partners to develop and deliver strategies including: –businesses –local authorities –trade unions –civil society –rural partners –environmental interests –further and higher education –equality and non-discrimination bodies Government will look for strong evidence in ESIFs of partner engagement

Timetable National LEP Workshop 17 May Meeting with EM & SEM LEP Chairs 7 June Spending Round 26 June Detailed GuidanceJul 2013 Draft LEP ESIF StrategiesSep 2013 Feedback from GovtOct 2013 Final LEP SI Fund Investment StrategiesJan 2014 Negotiations between Govt and LEPsFeb 2014  Start of ProgrammeMid 2014

Support from Government “Local Growth Team” drawn from –Department for Communities and Local Government –Department for Work and Pensions –Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs –Department for Business Innovation and Skills –Skills Funding Agency –Office for Civil Society First point of contact: – /

Any questions?