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South West Competitiveness and Employment ERDF Programme
Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Convergence ERDF Programme
From 01 July 2011, European Regional Development Fund
(ERDF) programmes in the South West will be directly managed by
Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG). The
majority of the existing RDA ERDF staff are transferring to DCLG,
but contact details have changed so please see the attached list
for telephone numbers and email addresses.
Staff will continue to be based in Exeter, Bristol, Plymouth and
Truro, but are moving to new offices. The addresses are ERDF
Secretariat, DCLG at:
2 Rivergate
Temple Quay
Bristol BS1 6EH
Longbrook House
New North Rd
Exeter EX4 4UD
Mast House
Shepherds Wharf
24 Sutton Rd
Plymouth PL4 0HJ
Lysnoweth House
Infirmary Hill
Truro TR1 2JD
From 01 July, information relating to the Cornwall and Isles of
Scilly ERDF Programme and South West Competitiveness and Employment
Programme will be available on the
European pages of the DCLG website.
What will Convergence do?
The programme aims to establish the momentum for transforming
the economy of Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly to one where
knowledge, environment and quality of life underpin sustainable
economic growth.
With this in mind, four operational objectives have been
set:
- Transforming the economy into one based on professional,
highly-skilled jobs with a broader range of sectors, and a reduced
dependence on low paid employment
- Increasing the range and quality of employment opportunities
available to the community
- Managing economic growth in a sustainable manner
- Take a leading role in investing in what drives a low carbon
economy, including raising awareness of the impact of climate
change, overcoming market failure, and accelerating technological
change.
How much money is available?
The table below shows the amount of euros allocated to the
programme. The sterling value of the programme fluctuates
with changes to the exchange rate and this has to be carefully
managed to ensure commitments to investments do not exceed the
value of the programme should there be an adverse change to the
exchange rate. Similarly, partners want to ensure that all
available money is allocated to the region, so plans are kept under
review should there be an increase in the sterling value.
Since the programme was launched the sterling value of the
programme has varied, but the overall trend has seen an
increase.
| Summary Financial Table
(€m) |
ERDF € |
National
Match Funding € |
Total € |
| Innovation and
Research & Development |
105.013 |
35.004 |
140.017 |
| Enterprise and Investment |
130.011 |
54.504 |
184.515 |
| Enterprise and Investment |
105.013 |
52.507 |
157.520 |
| Unlocking the Economic Potential of
Place |
100.017 |
63.344 |
163.361 |
| Technical Assistance |
18.003 |
6.000 |
24.003 |
| Total Convergence |
458.057 |
211.359 |
669.416 |
The table shows five priorities for programme expenditure:
- Innovation and Research & Development - stimulating
research & development; supporting ideas, innovation &
knowledge; innovation & incubation and environmental goods and
services
- Enterprise & Investment - new enterprise, high growth
companies, targeted business support, business infrastructure for a
modern economy; access to finance and environmental goods and
services
- Transformational Infrastructure - Newquay Airport, digital
infrastructure, changing the make-up of the business base to
encourage the most skilled and productive
- Unlocking the Economic Potential of Place - regeneration
in Camborne, Pool, Redruth & St Austell & the ‘Clay
Country’; realising the potential of Truro, Falmouth/Penryn,
Newquay, Bodmin & Penzance & the Isles of Scilly.
- Technical Assistance - used to finance the admin required to
manage the programme - activities that enhance delivery of the
Programme, including partnership working , developmental work,
publicity, monitoring and evaluation.
How are investment decisions made?
ERDF Programmes are partnership-led. Representatives of
the public, private and voluntary sector agree the Operational
Programme, which sets the scope for programme investment. It
is effectively a contract with the European Commission setting out
how the funding will be invested. A Programme Monitoring
Committee (PMC) with representatives across the sectors has
responsibility for agreeing programme priorities, the criteria for
selecting projects for funding, monitoring programme performance
and assessing how the beneficiaries are faring.
The South West RDA’s European Secretariat looks at individual
proposals using criteria agreed by the PMC and makes
recommendations to a sub-group of the committee, called the
Endorsement Advisory Group (EAG). This enables partners to
take an informed view on the potential benefits of a proposal and
whether it meets the criteria for funding. A final decision
is based on the appraisal and EAG recommendation; an approved
investment will receive an offer letter (contract) from the South
West RDA as managing agent.
Transition arrangements
As part of the transition arrangements for
Programme management it is proposed to restructure Programme
monitoring committees as Local Management Committees, to ensure
local people can influence the shape of the Programme. The new
Local Management Committee (LMC) will also review how its
sub-groups work.
Where can I find out more about Convergence investments?
Please see www.convergencecornwall.com.