Adrian Colwell Visiting Senior Research Fellow November 2007
EU27Scotland
2003 Coalition Government 2007 Minority Government 2003 Partnership Agreement: Themes Growing Scotland’s Economy Excellent Public Services Stronger, Safer Communities Confident, Democratic Scotland Extensive commitments Big legislative programme 2007 Programme for Government:Objectives Wealthier and fairer Healthier Safer and stronger Smarter Greener Focused commitments Small legislative programme, emphasis on non legislative measures – 11 Bills Sep’07
Smaller Government & smaller Scottish Cabinet – 6 full members, FM & 5 Cabinet Secretaries Dep FM & CS Health & Wellbeing CS Finance & Sustainable Growth CS Education & Lifelong Learning CS Justice CS Rural Affairs & Environment More joined up politically with larger Directorates Consultation Papers – Housing / Economy Spending Review 2007
Work with UK government to increase Scotland’s role in Devolved areas –lead in fishery negotiations. Seek creation of EU Renewable and Low Carbon Energy Research Centre in Scotland Energy collaboration via a north sea grid Improve direct contacts with the Commission Closer relations with other parliaments Reform Parliamentary scrutiny of EU legislative proposals Enhance procedures for implementing EU legislation & post-implementation monitoring
With Scotland receiving reduced funding from the EU does the EU continue to matter?
The European Union Faces globalisation Economic challenge from USA, China & SE Asia How does the EU27 remain Competitive? create jobs? support sustainable growth & development?
The Lisbon agenda for jobs & growth The goals for environmental sustainability set in Gothenburg The principles of effective governance agreed in Warsaw
The EU has: 27 Member States Internal market million citizens economic and social disparities between countries & 268 regions one region in four GDP per inhabitant under 75% of the average of the EU27
Improve the attractiveness of regions & cities Encourage innovation, entrepreneurship & growth of the knowledge economy Create more & better jobs
Key Questions: How to address the social impact of migration across EU How best to tackle social deprivation & its economic impact How to minimise crime How best to secure the energy efficiency design of buildings & waste minimisation
The ability to : use financial innovation techniques build in environmental management & waste minimisation techniques design regeneration approaches to secure sustainable growth & reduce pollution tackle land remediation effectively consult & engage the community
Bristol Accord (Dec 2005) Leipzig Charter (May 2007)
Create high quality public spaces Modernise infrastructure networks & improve energy efficiency Proactive innovation & educational policies Consider deprived neighbourhoods in context of whole city Upgrade the physical environment Strengthen local economy & local labour market policy Education & training policies for children & young people Promote efficient & affordable urban transport
Demographics & an ageing Europe. Climate Change impact on land use & securing sustainable economic growth. Security of energy supply. Maintaining the value of assets. Addressing the spatial impacts of growth.
Examine economic and physical development Develop EU skills of politicians, senior policy makers and practitioners Learn from EU practice as well as policy by building policy links Need a forum for regular dialogue with key EU & EC officials Need a forum for debate on EU trends affecting Scotland
‘An invasion of armies can be resisted, but not an idea whose time has come’ - Victor Hugo