Archived decisions

HAMPSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL

Decision Report :

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

1) Summary of Decision Area:

1.1. This report seeks approval for the involvement of the Recreation and Heritage Department of the County Council as the leader of a consortium of regional authorities and academic bodies from several European countries preparing a bid for project funding to the INTERREG IVC programme of the European Union.

2) Issues Covered in Report:

2.1. The report sets out the background to a proposal to undertake a joint project with European partners which has the aim of promoting regeneration in rural economies across Europe through meeting the leisure, recreation and tourism needs of a growing number of older people.

2.2. The implications of submitting a project funding bid in the second call of the European Union's INTERREG IVC programme are explained.

2.3. The work required to prepare a bid and manage the project (if the bid succeeds) is considerable. The effort involved is justified by the potential benefits to people in Hampshire and to the County Council.

3) Recommendations:

It is recommended that:

3.1. The participation of the County Council as lead partner in a consortium of European regional authorities and academic bodies developing a project proposal as part of the European Union's INTERREG IVC programme be approved.

3.2. The Recreation and Heritage Department be authorised to undertake, in consultation with partners, the preparation of a funding bid for submission to the INTERREG IVC programme.

MAIN REPORT

1) Purpose of the Report:

1.1. This report seeks approval for the Recreation and Heritage Department of the County Council to lead a bid for project funding from the European Union's INTERREG IVC programme by a consortium of public authorities and academic bodies.

2) Contextual Information:

2.1. In October 2007 the County Council received a partner search from a regional authority in the Ruhr Valley region of Germany via the Brussels Office. This proposed a joint project to look at how recreational use of the countryside by older people could be increased. The purpose of the project would be to deliver improvements in health and wellbeing for older people and help to sustain rural economies. The issues are particularly important against the background of a significant shift in the demographic profile of many European countries (ageing populations and a greater concentration of people in urban and suburban locations).

2.2. The project generated a considerable amount of interest, but the German authority was unable to pursue it because of an internal reorganisation. However, since January 2008, the County Council's Recreation and Heritage Department has been working with a number of regional authorities and academic bodies across the European Union to further develop the project, which is provisionally titled "Rural Recreation in Times of Demographic Change". The project outline is included as an Appendix to this report. In summary, the aim is to promote regeneration in rural economies across Europe through meeting the leisure, recreation and tourism needs of a growing number of older people. The outcomes will include:

a) Increased employment opportunities in rural areas

b) Increased health and wellbeing benefits for older people

c) Reducing demographic and social imbalances in rural areas.

2.3. There are 16 organisations from 10 countries (UK, Spain, Italy, Bulgaria, Greece, Lithuania, Poland, Luxembourg, The Netherlands and Hungary) interested in this project. There is a high degree of enthusiasm for working in cooperation and several of the partners have considerable experience of other European cooperation projects. The objectives align very well with many of the Recreation and Heritage's own priorities for countryside recreation and tourism, developing services for older people and supporting the economy of Hampshire and will complement a number of other initiatives. The project would also support the Corporate Strategy aim of Maximising Wellbeing.

2.4. At a meeting in September 2008 the potential partners agreed to develop the project as a bid on the European Union's INTERREG IVC Programme and the Recreation and Heritage Department indicated its willingness to lead the bid.

2.5. The basic aim of the INTERREG IVC programme is to improve the effectiveness of regional development policies in the areas of innovation, the knowledge economy, the environment and risk prevention and to contribute to the economic modernisation and increased competitiveness of Europe. The programme funds projects on a wide variety of topics. Individual projects are expected to run over three to four years. The European Union will provide up to 75% of the project costs to a maximum of 5 million Euros. Project partners are expected to meet the balance of the costs, but this can be "in kind" contributions in the form of staff time.

2.6. The second call for bids on the INTERREG IVC programme opened on 27 October this year and closes on 30 January 2009. Decisions on which projects will be supported are expected to be announced in September 2009, with approved projects getting underway by the end of the calendar year.

3) Key Issues:

3.1. The INTERREG IVC programme is highly competitive and there is no guarantee of success. The development of a full project bid and, if successful, managing the project over three years are significant tasks that will require consistent input from staff in the Recreation and Heritage Department. Nevertheless, the potential benefits to the County Council would seem to justify the effort. These include:

a) Direct benefits to the people of Hampshire through the project outcomes

b) The availability of external funding to support projects and activities in Hampshire

c) The acquisition of considerable knowledge of best practice in the policy areas of supporting rural enterprises, rural recreation and tourism development and promoting active life styles among older people

d) Enhancement of the County Council's reputation as a leading local authority, nationally and internationally.

3.2. Taking on the leadership role within a project of his nature is a significant responsibility. However, this will allow the County Council to retain a high degree of control over the direction and objectives of the project. This will ensure that there is a strong alignment with County Council objectives through all elements of the project.

3.3. The timetable for preparation of the bid is tight, but the progress made so far and the enthusiasm of the partners suggests that a good bid can be written and submitted by the end of January.

3.4. The preparation of the bid will be supported, in the first instance, from existing Recreation and Heritage resources. The costs of bid preparation are eligible for funding through the INTERREG IVC programme, but only if the bid is successful.

4) Conclusions:

4.1. The proposed project is highly relevant to the strategic priorities of the County Council and the service strategy of the Recreation and Heritage Department. Leadership of the project would ensure that the project is strongly aligned with these objectives and the results are of direct benefit

4.2. The work involved in the preparation of the bid is justified in terms of the potential benefits to the people of Hampshire and the County Council.

5) Recommendations:

Please see Executive Summary for recommendations.

CORPORATE OR LEGAL INFORMATION:

Integral Appendix B

Race and Equality Impact assessment

Race and equality impact assessment has been considered in the development of this report and no adverse impact has been identified.

Crime prevention issues

The County Council has a legal obligation under Section 17 of the Crime and Disorder Act 1998 to consider the impact of all the decisions it makes on the prevention of crime. The proposals in this report have no impact on the prevention of crime.