European Commission Open Days 2005 Efficient programme management for Convergence regions Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly (UK) Cover slide Neil Robertson

Personal introduction Lessons learnt from experiences in Cornwall Overview Personal introduction Lessons learnt from experiences in Cornwall 3 main conclusions 3 circles ex original improvement plan

Introduction Neil Robertson, Head of Partnership and Fund Services Division, Cornwall Enterprise Cornwall County Council owned company A user and supporter, not from the "managing authority" Chair of community economic development project appraisal group Focus on partnership and strategy development

Background Cornwall’s Objective One status Only part of England to qualify for next round Very successful impact and spend profile Investing in plans for next round of structural funds Integration with regional work

Major Issue 1 - STRATEGY No strategy to base funding plans on Single Programming Document became lead strategy Own Strategy document “Strategy and Action” created Future focus is based on revising this and using it as a basis for any funding streams

Major Issue 2 - ENGAGEMENT Proper meaningful consultation essential Involvement of community in decision-making Established partnerships and networks, most of which have an effective role beyond O1 Involvement of the private sector has been critical Creation of Cornwall & Isles of Scilly Economic Forum (CEF) Leading the way in strategy creation Given confidence in self governance

Major Issue 3 – SUPPORT INFRASTRUCTURE Objective One Partnership Office - independent, raised awareness Facilitation - geographic and by sector; takes time Indirect – CEF can now provide framework and guide prioritisation

Major Issue 4 – EXTERNAL IMPACTS National - Local Strategic Partnerships, Local Area Agreements General economic well being The Unexpected - Eden in Cornwall Flexibility

Major Issue 5 – MEASURING PROGRESS What are you actually going to change? How will you know? Longer term impact Local Intelligence Network Cornwall

Conclusions Prepare an overall strategy, with clear priorities, and then worry about the funding sources. Involve the private sector. Invest in the process, both creating the baseline and the support structures.

Neil Robertson Head of Partnership & Fund Services neil.robertson@cornwallenterprise.co.uk www.cornwall.gov.uk www.cornwallenterprise.co.uk Tel: +44 (0)1872322802 Fax: +44 (0)1872322841 Cornwall Enterprise Company Pydar House Pydar Street Truro TR1 1EA United Kingdom