Cutting the Red Tape

Peter Smith Head of European Programmes Government Office for the North East 1. Introduction A practitioner – Objectives and 3 (746m euro) 5 th generation of Programmes (1bn+ euro) Personal views

Cutting the Red Tape 2. Overview Sample of partners Experience What is red tape: “real” v “perceived” What can be done?

Cutting the Red Tape 3. New Regulations Fewer Community Initiatives No Programme Complements No core and transitional areas (Obj 2) No Measures BUT, New layers in the process: CSG and NSRF Lisbon Earmarking

Cutting the Red Tape 4. Problems: regional partners Length of forms pages Retention of paperwork “Target obsessive” programmes ERDF & ESF - different systems Synchronise EU & domestic timescales, documents

Cutting the Red Tape 5. Monitoring and audit Words to fear: article 4 EU audits: each visit brings changes e.g. ESF forms 3 times Audit rules should be those in place at time of appraisal Much more complex than domestic regimes

Cutting the Red Tape 6. Problems: programme managers Financial tables: No Retroactive Changes Match funding (public, private) Timescales – modifications

Cutting the Red Tape 7. Remedies Align processes Reduce the number of intermediaries Staff: Training, Expertise & Continuity Proportionality I.T. and e-processes Keep outputs simple Fewer, larger…avoid transactions …and communicate

Cutting the Red Tape 8. Communicate Plain English Write it down – not verbal Consistency of message: e.g. between appraisal and monitoring Challenge for Programme Managers – partners must understand Programmes

Cutting the Red Tape 9. Who can reduce red tape? European Commission – Use the review meetings Managing Authority - Get out more Programme managers Seek feedback Look at documents Use evaluations

Cutting the Red Tape 10. Conclusions Flexibility Clarity Consistency Proportionality Communication