Moving forward: 2000-06 to 2007-13 Some Lessons Peter Smith: Government Office North East England.

Moving forward: 2000-

06 to 2007-13

Some LessonsPeter Smith: Government Office North East England

Moving Forward 2000-06 to 2007-13 : Lessons Learned

1. Introduction

Talk about 5 things:

•Partnership in action•The Programme Context •Something to achieve•Some risks to avoid•A conclusion

Moving Forward 2000-06 to 2007-13 : Lessons Learned

Partnership in action:

•Government Office•Regional Development Agency•Local Authority•University

….working collaboratively through all stages of Programme development and delivery

Moving Forward 2000-06 to 2007-13 : Lessons Learned

The Programme Context

•Lisbon is not new to us•2000-06 – moved away from “traditional” investments•Strong emphasis on technology transfer•Result: 2007-13 – 53% of resources are for technology

Moving Forward 2000-06 to 2007-13 : Lessons Learned

Something to achieve

•Maintaining strategic direction – credible programme, delivering regional agenda•The “Fewer, larger” approach – Centres of Excellence, Business Link•Avoiding N+2 penalty each year (“Failure is not an option”)•Reputation for firm management

Moving Forward 2000-06 to 2007-13 : Lessons Learned

• Some risks to avoid• Financial: the Commission and Managing Authority have a powerful

array of sanctions and corrections:• N+2 – the whole region loses• Audit – several sets of (UK and EU) auditors – can visit for many years

– retention of paperwork & records is key – penalties can be severe • Monitoring – increasingly deep & thorough – volume, depth & quality

of monitoring is non-negotiable – failure can lead to suspension of payments (programme) or clawback of grant (project)

• and Reputational:• Adverse media coverage• Managing a programme that is a diluted version of the OP vision

Moving Forward 2000-06 to 2007-13 : Lessons Learned

Some conclusions

“Managing with Authority through Partnership”, includes:• Make sure all partners understand & are compliant with the (complex)

agenda – talk the same language – learn from experience• Implement the results of evaluation – don’t be afraid of change • Convert commitments into expenditure (N+2)• Keep on top of the data – plan ahead, identify milestones• Robust monitoring, with follow up – sort out the irregularities• In summary, failure to be compliant with Regulations, or to interpret

them incorrectly can have severe consequences