WHO WE ARE

The Hampshire, Isle of Wight, West Sussex Partnership (HWWS) is a partnership of three neighbouring local authorities on the south coast of England, working together on regional and European issues of common interest. The partnership was established in 1999 and is made up of one manager from the corporate policy unit in each authority; two Brussels based officers, and is supported by other officers in the United Kingdom. Together they contribute to the delivery of corporate strategic aims by providing a service for all directorates and units within the three local authorities to engage on the European scene.

WHY WE ARE WORKING IN PARTNERSHIP

Local government implements a significant proportion of EU legislation, making it important to have early information on new proposals so that the likely impact on local services can be assessed and influenced. Working together on both domestic and European issues offers us a greater ability to influence and react to the issues facing us than we can achieve individually.

During the period between January 2004 and March 2005, major changes will take place in Europe, which will affect the work of local authorities:

The most ambitious enlargement of the EU so far will take place in May 2004 when 10 new countries join. This will affect both existing and future European partnerships and projects.
A new constitutional treaty, which should clarify the Union’s roles and responsibilities, is being developed;
There will be parliamentary elections in June 2004, and the college of Commissioners will be renewed in November 2004, both of which will have a profound effect on the European political landscape.

All three authorities have taken advantage of European funding for joint projects with other European regions over the years. This has improved local service delivery through exchange of experience and expertise and is of major benefit to the authorities in their daily work. As the current European Union budget ends in 2006, this year will see the negotiation of a new budget for 2007-2013, where budget lines may be amended or withdrawn in line with political priorities of the new Commission and Parliament.

WHAT WE DO

By working together as a partnership, we play to our strengths and call upon the various skills and expertise available within the partnership to form the best teams to lead and support on different aspects of the partnership action plan which aims to:

♦ Ensure a better understanding of the impact Europe has on local government and better engagement between all levels of governance.

♦ Track and analyse policy in order to develop expertise and contacts in specific policy fields of importance to HWWS and to provide first class intelligence and information for officers and Members in the home authorities

♦ Represent and lobby on behalf of the partnership to raise the profile of our sub-region, to develop the role of local government as the level of government closest to the citizen in EU decision-making, and influence policy and legislation that impacts on the local level;

♦ Provide timely and relevant information and interpretation of the latest developments in order to respond to enquiries and raise awareness.

♦ Support and enable Members, the Chief Executives and Chief Officers and their staff to engage effectively with officials and politicians in the European institutions and regions.

HOW WE WORK TOGETHER

The business plan outlines activities for both UK and Brussels-based staff. Delivery of the business plan is reviewed at half yearly partnership meetings, where priorities and activities can be modified or supplemented. The three corporate managers meet every two months and all three attend the South East European Officers Group, chaired by the Chief Executive of Hampshire County Council. The Brussels officers meet with partners in the UK once a quarter.

The Brussels officers produce a formal report every six months. These form the basis for reporting to each authority’s Members. Throughout the year, the Brussels officers produce a weekly newsletter called ‘Euroflash’ and regular more detailed policy updates.

During 2004, the West Sussex County Council Cabinet Member for External Affairs will represent the partnership on the South East England Joint Europe Committee (JEC). This body is made up of representatives from the South East England Development Agency (SEEDA), The South East England Regional Assembly (SEERA) and one representative from each partnership in South East England House. He also co-chairs the Arc Manche, a maritime network of English counties and French regions along the Channel.

The Leader of Isle of Wight Council is a member of the Committee of the Regions, and the Isle of Wight Portfolio Holder for Economic Development is an alternate on the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities in Europe, part of the Council of Europe, Vice-President of the CPMR Islands Commission and a member on the LGA Europe and International Committee and JEC.

The Hampshire County Council Cabinet Member for Economic Development is a member of the Assembly of European Regions Bureau, and the Cabinet Member for Community Development is a Vice-President of RETIS, a network of European regions interested in promoting social inclusion.

WHO WE WORK WITH

Since 2000 the HWWS partnership Brussels office has been located within South East England House, a co-location of five South East England partnerships representing local authorities, universities, SEERA and SEEDA. All staff based in South East England House contribute to the delivery of a joint business plan that supports the implementation of the Regional Europe Strategy for South East England and identifies areas for joint working. This means the regional agenda has a significant impact on the working of the HWWS Brussels office. Hampshire represents the HWWS partnership on the South East England House Partners Group (SPG), which manages operational issues for the House.

In a crowded arena with some 250 regional offices in Brussels, the trend is for European institutions to interact with Europe-wide networks rather than individual authorities. This means local authorities have to engage with regional bodies, such as SEEDA, SEERA, the Local Government Association (LGA) and Local Government International Bureau (LGIB) and create or join groups of local and regional authorities such as Arc Manche, Airport Regions Conference (ARC), Conference of Peripheral and Maritime Regions (CPMR) and the Assembly of European Regions (AER), in order for their point of view to be heard.

ACHIEVEMENTS IN 2003

· A major conference on the future of EU regional policy on 16^thOctober 2003 was organized in South East England House for partners, South East guests and selected regions from around Europe. The event was supported by Commissioner Barnier’s senior advisor and the Secretary-General of the Committee of the Regions. This was an excellent opportunity to exchange views with Commission officials, and to build alliances with other European regions that share many of our interests. 10 priority points were agreed on the day, and immediately sent to government representatives at the Rome summit in October 2003;

· Cllr. Shirley Smart and Cllr. Harry Rees from the Isle of Wight visited Brussels in November 2003 for talks with the Director-General and senior officials from the Commission Directorate-General Regional Policy on the implications of the reform of regional policy for the island;

· Written submissions in response to UK Government consultation on ‘A Modern Regional Policy for the United Kingdom were produced;

· Position statements and amendments to the draft constitutional treaty were written and submitted to the Convention on the Future of Europe and MEPs.

· Through the Environment Platform for Regional Offices (EPRO) the Brussels office regularly meets senior staff in DG Environment to discuss upcoming legislation and how it will affect us. Being part of this group has strengthened links with Commission officials and other European regions, which in turn has helped in the organisation of partners’ activities;

· Partners successfully submitted a bid for funds under the Interreg 3B programme. The ESPACE project looks at the impact of climate change. The Brussels Officers hosted two meetings for potential partners and assisted in other partner searching activities.

· In June 2003, a major conference was organised by the Commission Directorate-General Environment for ‘Green Week’. Hampshire County Council raised its environmental profile during this event by holding the opening meeting of the European Natural Resource Initiative (ENRI) in South East England House and hosting a reception.

· Also during Green Week 2003, the Brussels Office co-organised with the Commission, and EPRO, a seminar for practitioners on implementation of the water framework directive. Senior officers from Hampshire and, West Sussex attended with Hampshire presenting its work on increased public involvement in local environmental policy making;

· West Sussex raised their profile on aviation issues with the launch of two new Airport Regions Conference publications in Brussels and participation in the European Commission working group on noise.

· Hampshire and West Sussex were involved in an AER working group on regionalism across Europe, chaired by Cllr David Kirk from Hampshire and supported by Cllr. Brad Watson from West Sussex. The final report on the definition of a region will form the basis from which the AER and local authorities can raise the profile of the role of sub-regional government in Europe.

· Active membership of RETIS by Hampshire. RETIS is funded by the Commission Directorate-General for Employment and aims for an exchange of views on social inclusion policies at local, national and European levels. As a result, the network is involved in meetings between the Commission, national governments and non-governmental organisations on this matter. Cllr. David Kirk from Hampshire is a Vice-President of RETIS and represented the network at the last round table in October 2003;

· Representatives from West Sussex Social and Caring Services visited the Brussels office in June 2003 to discuss funding opportunities under the Daphne programme for projects on domestic violence and the AGIS for projects to assist victims of trafficking. They met Commission officials and potential project partners, and also worked on developing guidance for partner searching, which has been shared across the partnership.

· Seven study visits to Brussels office in 2003, including coastal centre, social and caring services, environment department, senior managers training course, Airport Regions Conference, Gosport Youth Council and Northbrook College students. The Brussels Officers gave a presentation to Portsmouth University MBA students during their annual visit to Maastricht.

· Partnership groups on environment, rural development and social care have been set up in order to help tailor information to partners’ needs and as a result, several briefings and meetings have been arranged.

ACTIVITIES FOR 2004-2005

One of the main tasks for Brussels-based staff is to provide information on aspects of EU policy development through the weekly ‘Euroflash’ newsletter, through regular ‘policy updates’, together with direct emails to staff through thematic distribution lists for more urgent information. In addition, Brussels staff provide funding advice and support for funding bids through the corporate managers and support officers from each local authority.

There are five priority areas of focus:

1) Reform of structural funds

2) Environment

3) Governance and regionalism

4) Social care and inclusion

5) Agriculture and rural development

1) Reform of structural funds

The EU’s regional policy aims to promote balanced economic development across the regions of Europe and therefore the funds accompanying it are an important source of finance for local government projects. As the policy and its funds are under review, it is vital that the authorities do all they can to safeguard access to funding during 2007-2013.

UK-based actions

Brussels-based actions

Relevant Dates

On-going monitoring of the SE and UK government position and communication of that position to the Brussels Officers.

Keeping partnership informed of developments in Brussels and analysis of the impact on local government;

21 January 2004 – Commission proposals for European budget 2007-2013

Jan/Feb Release of Commission’s 3^rdCohesion report

June 2004 - release of proposed regulations for structural funds

10 June 2004 - European parliament elections.

Lobbying the Region and national government through the following bodies: LGA, ESF National Advisory Group, JEC, SEEOG, Atlantic Arc / Islands Commission / CPMR, AER, Arc Manche;

Engaging Chief Executives and Leaders in the debate by taking papers to SECCE, SECL, JEC and Cabinet;

Lobbying the EU through meetings with MEPs, European institutions and other organisations based in Brussels;

Briefing to South East delegates to the Commission’s Cohesion Forum.

7 January 2004 – SECCE meeting

16 January 2004 – SECL meeting

28 January 2004 – JEC.

17 March 2004 – SECL meeting

6-7 April 2004 – CoR/European Parliament seminar on reform of structural funds

21 April – SECCE

23 April 2004 - JEC

10-11 May 2004 – Commission’s Cohesion forum

24-25 June 2004 – SECL Away day

25 June 2004 – JEC

29 July – SECCE meeting

24 September 2004 – SECL meeting

7 October 2004 – SECCE meeting

8 October 2004 – JEC

10 December 2004 – SECL meeting

Follow-up conference 24^thMarch 2004 to push the case for structural funding in the South East, linked to wider SEE House partners meeting

“Open Day” organisation and events in the South East to compliment those in Brussels at the same time.

Continuing Prosperous Regions Network with follow up meetings.

Maintaining contact with SE participants at October 16th event.

Review of 3^rdCohesion Report during meeting in South East England House with other prosperous regions.

Prosperous Regions network participation in ‘Open Days’ with event in Brussels to raise awareness of reform and the prosperous regions’ position

Jan/Feb Release of Commission’s 3^rdCohesion report

24^thMarch 2004 - SPG conference

16^thJune: Adoption of CoR Opinion on the 3^rdCohesion Report

27^th– 30^thSeptember 2004 - new MEPs, COR/EP joint plenary session, ‘Open Days’,

Outcome: as a result of these activities, colleagues in all three authorities will be in the best possible position to access structural funding in the period 2007-2013.

2) Environment

European environmental legislation and policies shape the services delivered by local authorities. This year, HWWS partnership activities will be focused on the following issues: reform of funding; sustainable use of natural resources; coastal management and flooding; civil protection and climate change. Activities detailed below aim to enable the partners to influence environmental policy, make links with other European regions on these issues and access funding.

UK-based actions	Brussels-based actions	Relevant Dates
Set up ENRI. Provide local perspective views on the natural resources agenda. Inform other SE partners, LGA and national government of these views and assist in informing EU institutions and other regions.	Assist with ENRI - inform group of relevant European policies and funding legislation. Ensure group is able to contribute to the natural resources debate in Brussels. Assisting in the development of joint projects and hosting ENRI meetings.	Official launch during Green Week June 2004.
Provide local perspective on the future of the Natura 2000 network. Inform other SE partners, LGA and national government of these views and assist in informing the EU institutions and other region	Draw together partnership contribution on the future of Natura 2000 network, especially on future funding post-2006, and communicate views to EU institutions and other European regions with a meeting in Brussels.	Commission document out in December 2003/January 2004. 2006 is new budget cycle, and funds such as LIFE and INTERREG will be under discussion until then.
Review the impact that implementation of EU legislation has on local area, such as the SEA and EIA directives. Draw together joint partnership views	Working together with environment departments and emergency planners on pollution prevention and control. Communicate partnership views to EU institutions and other European regions.	New policy guidance covering risks and flooding during 2004, and on-going work on pollution prevention and control, waste shipments and hazardous waste, and new rules to prevent major industrial accidents involving dangerous substances.
Work with environment groups in the authorities to identify topics and projects that could benefit from EU funding. ESPACE project on climate change and funded by INTERREG.	Assist in finding appropriate partners for projects, eg. Environment Agency proposal looking at impact of climate change on biodiversity in South East. Promoting ESPACE.	ESPACE extended partnership meeting.
Hampshire represents the LGA on Commission working group to develop new European soil protection strategy.	To support preparations for an event on soil protection in spring 2004 in Hampshire.	French regions Bretagne and Loire planning a seminar in Brussels and have asked for Hampshire’s support.

Outcome: the results of these activities will allow partner authorities to get involved in policy making on issues that affect them, and will be well prepared to make the changes they need to their management systems. Having a say in the development of funding programmes for the future will enable staff to be better aware of what is available, and how best to access funds. There will be improved joint working across the partnership on issues that affect the sub-region.

3) Governance and regionalism

It is important that local government continues to be recognised as a legitimate actor in European affairs. It is the level that delivers key services to residents, business and the voluntary sector and as such is in a favourable position to provide input to the EU institutions on how European policies and legislation work on the ground. During the first half of 2004, the Irish government will chair inter-governmental talks on the draft European constitution. They hope to broker agreement among the member states so that the newly enlarged European Union has structures and working practices that are fit for a 25-member Union.

During 2004, the regionalism agenda will see the continuation of the local government review process in northern regions of England, followed by referendums in autumn 2004 on elected regional assemblies in Yorkshire and the Humber, the North West and the North East. Developments will need to be monitored closely by the HWWS partnership, as the UK government is committed to holding referendums in all parts of the UK in due course. At a European level, our response to this agenda will be better informed by a good understanding of parallel developments in European countries.

UK based actions:	Brussels-based actions:		Relevant Dates:
Monitoring UK legislation on regionalism. Representation at COR through Cllr. S Smart. Representation at the Council of Europe/ CLRAE through Cllr. H Rees. Representing those views, and providing feedback to partnership, at the following meetings: SECL, SECCE and SECL Regional Policy Network, JEC, SEEO, County Councils Network, LGA, Meetings with EU institution representatives such as MEPs , AER, (CPMR)	Promote the viewpoints of partner authorities on regionalism agenda to EU institutions and other EU regions. Attendance and feedback from CoR. News from other South East and UK partnerships on regionalism; Updates from UKRep in Brussels.		25^thMay 2004, Boundary Committees makes final recommendations for local government review in northern counties. Autumn 2004 referendums on elected regional assemblies in northern English regions. 22 – 24^thSept CPMR General Assembly, Norway Nov AER General Assembly Vienna
Research other regions’ experiences in community engagement through RETIS. Promote good practice as it develops within the authorities. Work out partnership strategy to handle the trend towards regional funding bids.	Monitor Commission activities under the Governance White Paper such as consultations and tri partite contracts. Monitor other Commission activities that affect the local level such as trend towards framework directives, opportunities to get involved in policy making, such as through EPRO.		On-going
Monitor policy developments on the European constitution. Hampshire and West Sussex to remain involved in debate on European constitution through AER. Maintain dialogue with the UK government on the European constitution through the LGA and other SE networks		Monitor developments on the European constitution, raise awareness of the implications for local authorities, and represent the views of local authorities at a European level.

Briefing Cllr. Shirley Smart on Group’s priorities in order to maximise influence through CoR where appropriate.

Monitoring meetings of CoR’s Economic and Social Policy (ECOS) Commission

Providing technical input to Committee of the Regions Members.

Identifying forthcoming CoR agenda items relating to partnership priorities.

Maintaining regular contact with COR members on ECOS, and providing specific support at COR meetings for Cllr. Smart

Monitor other initiatives that are expected to be presented this year including: the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control; co-operation opportunities in health care, long-term care for older people and consultation on existing anti-discrimination measures.

During 2004, ECOS will deal with a number of important issues for local authorities including plans to change the European Social Fund.

Encouraging and facilitating submission of partnership bids for EU funding under DAPHNE, ESF, Equal, Interreg and AGIS.

Monitoring and engagement in the debate on European Social Fund (ESF).

Providing advice and guidance on bidding. Assist in formulating partner searches.

Analysis of the first round of the Public Health Programme and support on whether to bid into this fund.

Agis programme deadline 13^thFebruary 2004. Another call expected at the end of 2004

DAPHNE II to be launched during 2004. First call for proposals should be issued in early summer 2004.

Equal programme issued its second and final call for proposals in the UK for projects in the period 2005-2007. Application deadline 30^thJune 2004.

The draft regulation governing the allocation and use of the funding will be published in May or June 2004.

Membership of RETIS (Hampshire) social inclusion network. Attending annual meetings with the Commission, governments and NGOs. Opportunity to influence National Action Plans for Social Inclusion.

Outcome: through participation in local authority networks and engaging with the Committee of the Regions, we can influence the direction of future policies, particularly regarding social inclusion. By providing advanced warning of the forthcoming calls for proposals and support for focussed partner searching, this activity should result in more successful funding applications from partners. By joining the debate on the future of funding streams, the partners will help to ensure they remain eligible for European funding in future.

5) Agriculture and rural development

The Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) is the largest European funding stream for Hampshire, Isle of Wight and West Sussex. On-going reforms of the CAP are of concern to the agricultural sector and the wider rural community that currently access rural development funding and Leader+. It will be important to establish the key issues for the HWWS partnership on rural development, and to make best use of the expertise available through the Brussels office.

UK-based actions	Brussels-based actions		Relevant Dates
Create partnership Rural Development group and identify staff to be involved. Strengthen communication between members of group – between UK partners as well as with Brussels. Supply information to Brussels office on local or regional initiatives, interests or events.		Organise meetings of rural development officers when in UK. Use email list and phone calls to maintain contact between visits. Monthly policy updates to keep partners informed of EU agenda developments Supply information to partners on events in Brussels
Monitoring developments in policy, and highlight ways for partner authorities to put forward their views. Promote the idea of changing definitions of rural areas or moving from urban-rural divide in programmes a more holistic approach to territorial development.		May 2004, European Commission to publish draft Rural Development Regulation, deciding the future budget for and allocation of rural development funding, to accompany the revised CAP and the reformed structural funds. End of 2004, Commission expected to publish report on risks and national disasters in agriculture.

Outcome: by monitoring and responding to policy developments on agriculture and rural development, we will position ourselves to be eligible for as much rural development funding as possible and be fully aware of the possibilities open to us once the funds are on stream. Through partnership activities, there will be a better awareness among partnership authority staff of the facilities and expertise available through the Brussels office. This will, in turn, lead to an increased capacity to monitor, react to and, ultimately, contribute to shaping the EU policy agenda on rural development and associated funding streams

UK-based actions	Brussels-based actions		Relevant Dates
Developing partnership working group with key SCS representatives and Europe officers, to identify priority issues for Social and Caring Services (SCS). Currently co-ordinated by Hampshire. Establishing new agenda for the group.		Brussels officer to meet with representatives from Social Services twice a year. Attend relevant events in Brussels in order to disseminate information.
Three meetings/seminars on key policy issues, with guest speakers. Focus on the impact on local service delivery		Social services study visit to Brussels.
Developing appropriate links with other groups, networks and partners. Involvement with AER Committee B.	Identifying other regions in Europe with similar issues.		AER Committee B in Devon, 25 & 26 March 2004

WHO WE ARE

WHY WE ARE WORKING IN PARTNERSHIP

WHAT WE DO

HOW WE WORK TOGETHER

WHO WE WORK WITH

ACHIEVEMENTS IN 2003

ACTIVITIES FOR 2004-2005

1) Reform of structural funds

2) Environment

3) Governance and regionalism

4) Social care and inclusion

5) Agriculture and rural development

1) Reform of structural funds

2) Environment

3) Governance and regionalism

4) Social care and Inclusion

5) Agriculture and rural development

CONTACTS