Contact : Jill Lovelock Ext 7591
email address: [email protected]

1. Summary

1.1. This report explains the range and purpose and reviews the benefits of European and international activity and suggests a framework for the future.

2. Background

2.1. The County Council has been involved in European and international activity for many years. The focus at a corporate level has been to give the Council a position of influence and profile nationally and internationally, which has then contributed to the Council's strategic objectives and to service related benefits through projects and activities at a departmental level. The attached appendix provides details of networks, partnerships and projects.

2.2. The County Council's active involvement has led to an enormous potential for sharing expertise, knowledge and experience, which has influenced the development of policy and practice on issues of priority for the Council, where it can play a strong leadership role locally, nationally and internationally.

2.3. It is timely with a new Cabinet member for External Affairs to review the Council's European and international work to ensure there are shared values and objectives in the activities undertaken and benefits achieved. The framework for this review needs to include the 2002/03 Best Value review of international relations which identified the need for:-

_ a clear vision to provide a corporate framework for the County Council's international work

_ better communication both of the vision and content of international work

_ monitoring and evaluation to identify what works and what the benefits are, and to support decision making on potential new activities

_ effective partnership working

_ better understanding within the County Council so internal stakeholders are engaged.

3. Framework

3.1. As a result of the review, the following vision has been developed and endorsed by DMTs and is suggested as the framework for the Council's activities:

Hampshire County Council's status as an excellent authority will be supported, developed and sustained through its European and international activities. It will work with international networks and agencies to promote the interests of Hampshire and influence and shape policy development internally and in Europe for the benefit of Hampshire people. International work adds value to the Council's corporate priorities and services to promote the economic, social and environmental well-being of Hampshire.

We will do this by:-

(i) Ensuring that all international activity supports the Council's corporate and service priorities

(ii) Using our experience and expertise to influence policy and funding programme development internally and in Europe

(iii) Taking a lead role in international organisations which best represent Hampshire's interests

(iv) Working in partnership with local stakeholders and international partners

(v) Seeking external funding where this supports and adds value to priority projects

(vi) Providing regular, relevant and well targeted information across the County Council

(vii) Utilising the Brussels Office as a resource for Hampshire in Europe

3.2. This vision can continue to deliver international activity with benefits corporately of:

_ profile

_ influence

_ sharing expertise

_ learning

_ leadership

_ partnership working

and can do so by building on current activities, expertise and experience and strengthening the external and outward looking face of the Council.

3.3. Profile Hampshire County Council is well recognised in European and international networks due to its:-

_ work for AER on the role and definition of regions, which has contributed to enhancing the position of Counties as directly elected authorities at the level below national government

_ representation on the bureau (Executive) of AER, CPMR and POLIS

_ contribution to `expert groups' advising the EU on forthcoming legislation

_ position in RETIS and thereby invitation to contribute to national and international conferences

3.4. Influence Hampshire can influence legislation and policy development (something like 70% of national legislation originates in Europe) through networking and lobbying and has

_ contributed to an AER group on GATS (General Agreement on Trade in Services)

_ contributed to a regional position on future framework for structural funds

_ led and participated in projects which innovate and influence future policy and funding streams

3.5. Sharing Expertise Through networks and projects, Hampshire can contribute its expertise and experience and has:-

_ contributed to AER working groups on a wide range of topics

_ participated in Dynamo regions networks as part of COR (Committee of the Regions) open days to demonstrate the real role of more prosperous regions within European regional policy

_ led on environment and rural development portfolios within South East England House in Brussels

3.6. Learning Much of the focus and rationale for European project work is learning between partners and Hampshire has participated in:-

_ RETIS peer reviews

_ projects (see appendix)

_ sharing information between partnerships in Brussels

Involvement in European projects also provides individual career development opportunities for officers and enhances career satisfaction and retention of good officers.

3.7. Leadership The activities above which contribute to profile and influence illustrate the leadership role Hampshire has developed over many years and the opportunities to lead within:

_ AER working groups

_ Brussels office partnership

_ RETIS, POLIS and CPMR

_ Organisations in the South East (South East European Officers Group, and SEERA/SEEDA Joint Europe Committee)

3.8. Partnership working Key partnerships for Hampshire which have delivered better results within the European and international arena include:-

_ Brussels office and South East England House

_ Accord with Basse-Normandie

_ Arc Manche

_ Funded projects (see appendix)

4. Delivery

4.1. Hampshire's current European and international activities can therefore deliver the vision and provide a beneficial framework for future activities. The infrastructure is also in place:-

_ Cabinet Member for external affairs

_ Members of all parties formally nominated to represented the County Council on external organisation and networks

_ Brussels office colocated in South East England House

_ corporate policy lead in Chief Executive's Policy Unit

_ departmental leads in each department

_ International officers group formed of departmental contacts and led by Policy Unit

_ links with relevant regional bodies and networks (JEC, SEEO, SEERA)

_ external funding advice and support within Economic Development Office.

4.2. Hampshire attracts funds in a number of areas where the Council has special expertise and offers innovative projects to contribute to Europe wide learning. These funds are won by competitive bidding and are usually many times over subscribed. Hampshire has a strong track record in attracting funds, as can be seen from the table in the appendix.

4.3. There is a need for more effective communication within the organisation, a clear focus on those networks and organisations that can deliver the vision, identification by some departments of how they can contribute to and benefit from the links that exist and activities that will add value to their own service priorities and maybe lead to opportunities to attract external funds. DMTs have been asked to identify ways of supporting the vision for international links and developing their departmental activities.

4.4. The members who represent the County Council on European and international organisations are well placed to develop these processes and to work with the Policy Unit and the International officers Group to identify priority activities to deliver the vision and benefits for international relations and how information is shared and promoted through the Council.

Recommendations

(i) Cabinet adopts the vision statement :

Hampshire County Council's status as an excellent authority will be supported, developed and sustained through its European and international activities. It will work with international networks and agencies to promote the interests of Hampshire and influence and shape policy development internally and in Europe for the benefit of Hampshire people. International work adds value to the Council's corporate priorities and services to promote the economic, social and environmental well-being of Hampshire.

(ii) Members and the International Officers group identify priority activities and how to disseminate information

Section 100 D - Local Government Act 1972 - background papers

The following documents disclose facts or matters on which this report, or an important part of it, is based and has been relied upon to a material extent in the preparation of this report.

NB the list excludes:

1. Published works

2. Documents which disclose exempt or confidential information as defined in the Act.

File Location