1. Role of Major Cities in EU Regional Programmes Kevin Richardson Newcastle City Council

2. Question? Tested against the principles of Concentration, Programming and Partnership, to what extent does the Third Cohesion Report recognise new thinking about the role of major cities in helping to drive growth in regions?

3. UK Core Cities Birmingham Bristol Leeds Liverpool Manchester Newcastle Nottingham Sheffield

5. Cities matter to national performance Larger cities often most successful Lisbon Agenda Balancing growth and social inclusion More rapid progress than many regions Cities matter to regional performance Why Major Cities?

6. “the most competitive regions also had the most competitive cities….we found no examples of successful regions which had unsuccessful cities at their core ”

7. a population and business base of such a relative size which means that regional success is unachievable unless that city also succeeds relationships with neighbours and regional bodies which identify the interdependence of the success of both city and region a university committed to regional development a concentration of ‘knowledge’ businesses local governance with capacity and leadership an international airport Major Cities: A Definition?

8. Opportunities of 3CR Thematic approach indirectly favours cities e.g. R&D National Framework Documents Urban dimension to regional programmes Urban + Financial responsibility New ‘cross border’ instrument

9. Problems with 3CR Role in negotiation of National Framework Documents? Cities remain only one partner amongst many ‘equal’ partners Use of NUTS to define ‘regions’ Use of GDP - ignores statistical effects of commuting Proportion of urban emphasis within regional programmes? Why is ERDF regional and ESF national? Impact of changes to Regional Aid on non priority regions No distinction between urban areas of whatever size Need or Opportunity? Special treatment for Guadeloupe!

10. What Can Major Cities Do? Politicians and senior executives need to play leading role in shaping regional policy Collate meaningful data which shows both need and opportunity Build understanding with neighbours of complementary and competing roles Develop a ‘whole city’ approach within regional partnerships Influence national framework documents Build networks with other cities Develop ‘tri-partite’ relationships with Brussels and Capital Prepare financial systems and ‘cross border’ bodies

11. Conclusion ….. the proposals..…are simply improvements on a model of regional development that a growing number of policy makers, (including a number of national governments), now increasingly question as unsustainable. Cohesion Policy faces its toughest ever examination; and it is doubtful whether the new proposals – as they stand - are sufficient to counter these criticisms.

12. Contact Details Kevin Richardson Manager, International Team Newcastle City Council kevin.richardson@newcastle.gov.uk www.newcastle.gov.uk/international