27 February 2008
Welsh councils leaders are frustrated over the roll out of the new convergence funding programme in Wales and the overall management of the programme.
Cllr Chris Holley (Swansea), WLGA European Spokesperson said:
“We are now nearly 15 months into the new programme and it has got off to a very slow start. This will be the last time we can expect to receive such high levels of funding from Europe and it is extremely important that Wales gets to see the maximum benefit of it.”
“We are concerned at delays in the programme’s delivery and implementation and the overall lack of progress. Latest advice from the Welsh European Funding Office suggests that it will potentially take between six and nine months for some projects to be approved and there remains real confusion about how some of these new programmes will even work. There is need for better communication, transparency, proper engagement and collaboration with all key partners including the Welsh Assembly Government when developing project ideas”.
“Local authorities have embraced collaboration and joint working with a number of projects being developed cross-region with neighbouring local authorities and between partners and organisations. Real progress has been made within the context of the WLGA Regional Partnership Boards which has also involved joint working around possible delivery models. We are encouraged that the Wales European Funding Office is recognising this and is considering using the work being undertaken in the South West Wales region as a model for other parts of Wales.”
The WLGA is calling for more clarity about the roles of different partners, from those working in the Wales European Funding Office and the Assembly Government, to staff across local authorities and the voluntary and community sectors. In addition it has concerns over how much Match Funding will be available and how it will be accessed.
Ends
Notes to Editors
What is Match Funding?
This is where the EU funds do not cover the whole cost of any project. All applicants are expected to make arrangements to provide the balance either from their own resources or from other contributions, and to demonstrate that this funding is in place.
For the purposes of the financial tables in the Operational Programmes, the programme documents agreed between WAG and the European Commission, match funding must be classified as either public or private.
Due to the extremely tight financial settlement for local government for the next few years it will be exceptionally difficult for local authorities to find match funding. It remains unclear how much match funding will be provided by WAG departments.
For more information contact: Natasha Weeks