Objective 2 Programme for the South West of England

1. Objective 2 Programme for the South West of England A Brief Overview

2. Key Programme Objectives • To increase incomes • To increase opportunities available to people, businesses and communities • To widen access to employment opportunities • To create and support sustainable communities • To protect and enhance the environmental assets within the Programme Area.

3. Key Outputs To Deliver Objectives • New jobs created • New sales generated for business • Business space created • Businesses assisted with advice or finance • Individuals receiving training support.

4. Three Priorities • Priority 1 – Neighbourhood Renewal • Priority 2 – SME Development, Technology and Innovation • Priority 3 – A Better Future For Traditional Economies

5. Priority 1 – Neighbourhood Renewal Limited to the most deprived wards within the Programme area:

6. Priority 1 – Neighbourhood Renewal • 1.1 (ERDF) Neighbourhood Ownership, Leadership and Democracy. “ To equip individuals, voluntary and community groups in the targeted areas with the skills to enhance their participation in community life” Total Allocation: £1,848,428 Funds remaining: £315,897 3 Measures – 2 ERDF, 1 ESF

7. Priority 1 – Neighbourhood Renewal • Measure 1.2 (ERDF) Taking Forward Neighbourhood Regeneration. “To reverse decline in the Programme Area’s most disadvantaged neighbourhoods, through comprehensive regeneration strategies and an expansion of the employment base” Total Allocation: £10,312,579 Funds Remaining £3,638,991

8. Priority 1 – Neighbourhood Renewal • Measure 1.3 (ESF) Pathways To Employment. “To reduce labour market exclusion by assisting young people and other disadvantaged groups in the targeted areas to participate in the workforce” Total Allocation £4,623,899 Funds Remaining £2,332,459

9. Priority 2 – SME Development, Technology and Innovation • Available throughout the whole Programme Area. • Covers both Main and Transitional wards.

10. Priority 2 – SME Development, Technology and Innovation • Measure 2.1 (ERDF) Support for start-ups and micro-enterprises. “To support the development of new companies and improve their survival rates through the provision of appropriate support services” Total Allocation £4,194,969 Funds Remaining £2,060,385 5 Measures, - 4 ERDF, 1 ESF

11. Priority 2 – SME Development, Technology and Innovation • Measure 2.2 (ERDF) Support for SME development. “To improve competitiveness through the provision of high quality business development support, which encourages firms to introduce new technology, ensures that small companies have access to capital to develop their business and helps firms diversify” Total Allocation £10,096,226 Funds Remaining £4,330,125

12. Priority 2 – SME Development, Technology and Innovation • Measure 2.3 (ERDF) Business support for technology and knowledge based industries. “To increase competitiveness, the rate of innovation and usage of technology as a means of enhancing business growth” Total Allocation £5,725,786 Funds Remaining £3,564,740

13. Priority 2 – SME Development, Technology and Innovation • Measure 2.4 (ERDF) Creating a better environment for business. “To increase competitiveness through ensuring that there is sufficient provision of affordable premises, facilities and infrastructure which meets the needs of new and expanding companies” Total Allocation £23,688,679 Funds Remaining £15,078,531

14. Priority 2 – SME Development, Technology and Innovation • Measure 2.5 (ESF) Management and skills development for SME development. “To support the provision of management and skills development training” Total Allocation £10,789,308 Funds Remaining £4,254,452

15. Priority 3 – A Better Future For Traditional Economies • Available throughout the whole Programme Area. • Covers both Main and Transitional wards.

16. Priority 3 – A Better Future For Traditional Economies • Measure 3.1 (ERDF) Regenerating the rural economy. “To assist rural economies respond to the decline in traditional sectors by developing co-ordinated actions which support sustainable economic growth” Total Allocation £10,l306,289 Funds Remaining £8,190,594 6 Measures – 5 ERDF, 1 ESF

17. Priority 3 – A Better Future For Traditional Economies • Measure 3.2 (ERDF) Investing in the rural tourism product. “To increase the economic benefits deriving from tourism in rural areas by improving the tourism product” Total Allocation £6,578,616 Funds Remaining £4,524,903

18. Priority 3 – A Better Future For Traditional Economies • Measure 3.3 (ERDF) Investing in the tourism infrastructure of coastal towns, resorts and city areas. “To increase tourism expenditure in coastal towns, resorts and city areas through the provision of quality new and improved attractions, visitor facilities and and related infrastructure” Total Allocation £8,426,415 Funds Remaining £2,421,267

19. Priority 3 – A Better Future For Traditional Economies • Measure 3.4 (ERDF) Promotion and development of the regional distinctiveness of the area. “To increase the competitiveness of tourism businesses, identify and target new markets to increase the number of both UK and overseas visitors to the Objective 2 area at a rate above the national average” Total Allocation £2,255,346 Funds Remaining £1,330,338

20. Priority 3 – A Better Future For Traditional Economies • Measure 3.5 (ERDF) Regenerating fishing communities. “To promote sustainable employment in fishing dependant communities” Total Allocation £3,759,119 No Funds Committed To Date

21. Priority 3 – A Better Future For Traditional Economies • Measure 3.6 (ESF) Human Resource Development and training support for traditional economies. “To increase skill levels and qualifications attainment in order that the traditional economies have access to a well qualified, adaptable workforce” Total Allocation £6,385,535 Funds Remaining £3,123,425

22. Key Drivers for Programme Management • New Programmes much more focussed on delivery and performance, compared to previous programmes • Have to spend to profile to avoid loss of funds • Have to achieve key outputs to secure Performance Reserve funds.

23. Target for Expenditure by 31 December 2003 • By 31/12/2003 must have spent £23m ERDF and £4.6m ESF • Commitments to date account for £23m ERDF and £4.6 ESF (exc. Finance South West and Broadband4Devon) • Vital for ERDF projects to spend to profile, and need to commit more ESF through co-financing and fast-track arrangements.

24. Challenges Facing the Second Half of the Programme Period N+2 rule applies year-on-year, making it essential to maintain commitment and spend levels.

25. Challenges Facing the Second Half of the Programme Period The Mid Term Evaluation Report will make recommendations for potential changes to the Programme’s structure and scope. This process is to be finalised by 31 December 2003.

26. Challenges Facing the Second Half of the Programme Period May be necessary to consider working with partners to “commission” projects specifically to fill gaps in output delivery in order to meet the Programme’s objectives.