The European Regional Development Fund (Operational Programmes) Regulations 2011

EXPLANATORY NOTE

(This note is not part of the Regulations)

These Regulations vary provision made to implement Council Regulation (EC) No.1083/2006 (“the Council Regulation”) in so far as it lays down general provisions on the European Regional Development Fund (“the Fund”).

The European Commission adopted development strategies (known as operational programmes) aiming with the aid of the Fund to strengthen regional competitiveness and employment in the English regions and to improve conditions for growth and employment in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly. The Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government is the designated managing authority for each of these programmes under Article 59 of the Council Regulation.

These Regulations change arrangements for managing and controlling the operational programmes.

Regulation 5 amends the European Regional Development Fund (London Operational Programme) (Implementation) Regulations 2008 (S.I.1342). The effect of the amendments is that the functions entrusted to the London Development Agency cease to be exercisable by the agency and are entrusted to the Greater London Authority by reference to a published schedule entitled “ Schedule of Functions of the Managing Authority for the European Regional Development Fund: Operational Programme covering the Regional competitiveness and employment objective for London 2011” (“the Schedule”). A copy of the Schedule has been placed in the libraries of both Houses of Parliament.

Regulation 4 revokes the instruments by which managing authority functions were entrusted to regional development agencies outside London, so that the functions become exercisable by the managing authority.

Regulation 6 provides for the transfer of property, rights and liabilities from the regional development agencies outside London to the managing authority and from the London Development Agency to the Greater London Authority.

Regulation 7 makes provision for continuity in relation to the exercise of functions.

Copies of the operational programmes and of the Schedule can be obtained from ERDF Programme Strategy and Coordination Division, Zone 4/G6, Department for Communities and Local Government, Eland House, Bressenden Place, London SW1E 5DU, and from the internet website www.communities.gsi.gov.uk. An impact assessment has not been produced for this instrument as no impact on the private and voluntary sectors is foreseen.