John Hacking Senior European Officer

 The Draft European Structural and Investment Funds Investment Plan for the period sets out the priorities that Lancashire intends to support with funds that will come from the European Commission

 Lancashire has been given a notional allocation of £243m

 The Lancashire ESIF plan has to take account of those things which are a priority for EU funding in the period.  The EU regulations which govern these funds identify 10 thematic priority areas for EU spend.

 Within these 10 thematic areas, there are specific limits for financial allocation and guidelines for the split between ERDF and ESF funding.  In addition, the UK government has indicated in detail the kinds of activities and projects it expects to see under each theme.

 The strategic themes of Lancashire’s European Investment Plan build upon the LEPs Business Plan, and reflect investment in economic sectors which are likely to produce growth in the Lancashire economy.

 Investing in Strategic Infrastructure, Devpt and Environmental Resilience 34  Boosting Business Growth and Innovation 65  Promoting Growth Sectors and Supply Chains 52   Encouraging Inward Investment and Marketing 9   Driving the Skills for Growth 49   Creating opps for Disadvantaged Communities & Groups 33

Theme 6 - Creating opportunities for disadvantaged communities/groups  The most disadvantaged communities and groups will need support to access the opportunities created by growth in the Lancashire economy.  Lancashire contains significant pockets of deprivation, and without intervention there is a real danger that sections of the community will be left behind as the economy develops.

T Those most at risk of exclusion from the labour market will include;  Young people aged 16 to 24 year old (who are not in education, employment or training)  Older People aged 50 or over and seeking work  Residents of rural areas at risk from geographic and/or labour market exclusion  People with physical disabilities, learning disabilities or mental health conditions  People who are unemployed and from black and minority ethnic communities  Vulnerable People, who are facing additional barriers especially, ex-offenders, people in recovery from alcohol or substance misuse, homeless people, troubled families (using the Government definition)  Women –especially from black and minority ethnic communities, lone parents, living in troubled families or victims of domestic abuse  Migrants and refugees  LGBT individuals  Looked after children/care leavers  Young carers

 Potential actions include:  encouraging entrepreneurship, and new business creation, including social enterprises, in deprived areas and amongst disadvantaged groups  investment in local business and social enterprise infrastructure to support enterprise and employment, such as managed workspace and employment sites,   support for digital inclusion initiatives building on the roll-out of superfast broadband across Lancashire  intensive support to improve basic and employability skills for the most disadvantaged  Pre Apprenticeship Programme and paid Internships

 'micro-connectivity' interventions to connect deprived communities with economic opportunities.  Enhancements to employability programmes that are responsive to local demands and business needs including a package of support that will equip  unemployed people to develop the skills and workplace experience that employers require including links to wellness services.  Activities to link environmental resilience and protection (energy efficiency, recycling, etc.) with employment and training opportunities  Addressing barriers to employment and training caused by health related issues.

 Over the coming months LEP area strategies will continue to shape as decisions are made on areas such as Opt-In organisations (SFA/DWP/BLF) and CLLD. 

Skills Funding Agency (SFA) – The opt-in to the Skills Funding Agency (SFA) offers an opportunity to support the delivery of key skills priorities for Lancashire, maximise the impact of skills provision under the new programme and provide substantial match- funding for the LEP's ESF allocation.

Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) – Given the nature of the DWP opt-in as a national programme delivered at a local level, of particular importance for Lancashire will be ensuring that ESF provision is locally driven and procured to reflect local needs and is focused on supporting individuals to secure

Big Lottery Fund (BIG) - An arrangement to “opt-in‟ to the Big Lottery Fund will enable Lancashire to build a strong foundation for social inclusion programmes.  BIG has indicated that it is able to offer a delivery and match funding service which will enable Lancashire to ensure their social inclusion priorities are met.  An initial two year minimum funding arrangement to match fund larger, and/ or longer-term, projects.

The Princes Trust – Although no longer strictly an Opt In offer, this does provide the opportunity for the Princes Trust to work with LEPs to deliver programmes for young people which will develop young people's skills, connect them to labour market opportunities and foster entrepreneurialism.  The Lancashire LEP ESIF says it will explore with the PT potential bespoke activity which will deliver skills, employment and enterprise pathways for disadvantaged young people.

ERDF and ESF Operational Programmes Timetable  During June the CLG/DWP and BIS have been reviewing the responses gathered from the public consultations on the operational programmes.  Following submission of the OPs, detailed discussions will be held between the government and the European Commission with a final outcome expected by December 2014.

 LEPs will be responsible for overseeing the delivery of the EU programmes in their area.  Local ESIF Committees made up of wider partnership including VCSF

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