Transcript LEPs and The European Agenda National Forum for VCSE

John Hacking – Network for Europe
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Outline of Local Enterprise Partnerships (LEPs)
and their role.
Update on NW Calls May 2015
 Smart
 Sustainable
 Inclusive
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The European Regional Development Fund (ERDF),
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The European Social Fund (ESF)
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The European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development
(EAFRD)
Have been brought together into a single ‘EU Structural
Investment Funds (ESIF) Growth Programme’
European Structural and Investment
Funds 2014-2020
European Structural and Investment
Funds 2014-2020
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Voluntary partnerships between local authorities and businesses
formed in 2011 by the Department for Business, Innovation and
Skills to help determine local economic priorities and lead economic
growth and job creation within its local area
There are 39 LEPs
◦ Growing Places Fund: delivering local infrastructure priorities
◦ Regional Growth Fund: drawing private sector leverage for job
creation
◦ Enterprise Zones: growth stimulation via simplified planning and
business tax breaks
◦ City Deals: Removing barriers to growth
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Local Enterprise Partnerships (LEPs) have a rapidly expanding
role in driving the local economic growth agenda.
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LEPs were originally created as private sector-led public :
private sector partnerships.
As a result previous VCSE engagement with LEPs has been
minimal.
However, since they assumed responsibility for EU Funds their
role has expanded into areas such as: Skills for employment;
Social inclusion; Environment and climate change; Social
innovation and Youth unemployment.
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From 2013 their role has included developing investment
strategies for European Structural Funds Investment.
The majority of the funds in the ESIF Programme will be
notionally allocated to LEPs areas for 7 years (mid term
review*)
LEPs will work with local partners, to set out their the
priorities for the EU Growth Programme Funds in their area in
an ESIF investment strategy
LEPs have produced Local ESIF Investment Strategies which
set out local priorities and indicative allocations of funds.
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Developing strategy, working with wide range of partners
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Production of ESIF Investment Strategy*
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Selecting projects (commissioning, bidding and co-financing)
Identification of match funding
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Spend allocation (on time and in line with EU regulations)
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Ensure outcomes delivered
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Monitor delivery against strategy and programme priorities
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Not responsible for administering the funds (remains with
Managing Authorities)
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National ESIF Growth Programme Board
◦ development of the ESIF Growth Programme
◦ co-ordination with other programmes
◦ strategic and operational impact and alignment with
complementary growth measures
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Managing authority
◦ Overseeing application process, ensuring eligibility,
◦ Claims and payments
◦ Audit responsibility
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Local ESIF Committee (each of the 39 LEPs to have one)
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Local Authority
Business partners (including small businesses and social enterprise
as appropriate to the LEP area.
VCSE
Equalities and non-discrimination
Environment (with relevant expertise in e.g. sustainable
development)
Trade Union and employer representation
Higher Education
Education, skills & employment (eg Local Skills Partnership Board
/Colleges)
Managing Authorities for each of the ESIF funds and BIS Local
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The Local ESIF Committee is responsible for :
DCLG to act as Secretariat on behalf of both Managing
Authorities.
The MA (CLG) is the Secretariat for the Local LEP ESIF
sub committee, calling the meetings, writing and
issuing the papers and writing and circulating its
minutes.
ESIF Committee not to be shown copies of application
forms by MA. Only to see an MA Assessment report.
ESIF committee can make verbal comments about
strategic fit - not written
And CLG to take the written minutes of these
comments.
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There are 2 approaches:
First is engagement with LEPs to influence
Policy
Type of provision
Procurement Methods
Typically;
◦ National representative bodies NCVO, TSNLA , NIACE etc
◦ Local sector networks and partnerships, Skills
Consortia,Learning Partnerships, CVSs, Social Enterprise
Partnerships etc
Second is as a Provider:
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There have been a small number of Open
Calls in the NW. None in GM, Cheshire or
Lancashire.
There are a limited number of consultations
out for ESF calls in GM.
The Opt-In Calls from DWP and SFA due later
this year.
The Opt-in Call from the BLF due on June 8th.