14 March 2008
Update from the Managing Agent
(extracted from Convergence Newsletter
37)
As part of the ongoing drive to implement the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) Convergence Programme the Partnership Delivery Board (PDB) recently agreed the next steps to catalyse three key areas of investment in the Programme - digital infrastructure, enterprise and investment, and support for sector organisations.
Work in assessing a range of ways in which faster, cutting edge broadband could be delivered in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly to help businesses communicate and compete has been undertaken. The preparation of a call for tenders for IT infrastructure was agreed and it was decided that Cornwall County Council would manage the procurement process. The PDB has put the demand stimulation work on hold until the outcome of the tender process is known.
Work on the Enterprise and Investment strand of the ERDF Convergence Programme - which aims to boost high growth businesses and help all enterprises improve productivity - has identified thirteen business support themes. The PDB will consider which themes are suitable for Convergence support and where themes can be amalgamated. Once more detailed proposals have been developed they will consider what to commission and report to the Programme Monitoring Committee.
The PDB has also endorsed the commissioning of investment to support business sector networks during the transition from Objective One to the new, simplified business support structure being developed by Government.
As more investments are developed in the coming months we will keep you up to date via the Convergence newsletter and the Convergence section of this website.
Phil McVey
Director of European Programmes
South West Regional Development Agency
30 May 2007
Launch of Strategy and Action
The ambitious vision for the economy of Cornwall and the
Isles of Scilly from now until 2021 has been launched.
The compilation of the latest edition of Strategy and Action
has been led by the Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Economic
Forum and its underlying aim is 'to achieve sustainable prosperity
for all in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly'.
The document aims to build on the partnership work carried
out to regenerate this region's economy during the Objective
One Programme and to continue this work through the following
Convergence programmes.
Thelma Sorensen, chair of the Forum, describes the document
as "a real road map to wealth creation. It is ambitious
of course and some of its objectives will only be achieved
in the long term but I am an optimist who feels that most
can be achieved if we apply ourselves."
Below is her speech made at Tuesday's (May 29th) launch.
To download a full copy of Strategy and Action click here.
Thelma Sorensen:
"As chairman of the Cornwall and Isles of Scilly
Economic Forum, I am proud and delighted to welcome you to
Kingsley Village this afternoon for the launch of our newly
revised economic strategy for Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly
- Strategy and Action.
"And I am very encouraged by the large number of
people I see here today - a real demonstration that you acknowledge
Strategy and Action as having an important part to play in
the development of the economy of Cornwall.
"I am also much heartened by the fact that our attendance
is equally made up by representatives from both the public
and private sectors.
"This underlines the fact that we can only achieve
the prosperity we all want by working closely together in
an atmosphere of mutual trust.
"This latest edition of Strategy and Action is the
result of a tremendous amount of hard work undertaken by a
large number of people across the region.
"It has taken longer than originally planned but
we were determined to get it right. Even to the extent of
getting it eventually evaluated by the London School of Economics.
"But, before I go any further, my first important
task is to give very many thanks to the Economic Forum's secretariat,
primarily Lucy Harris, the manager, who has worked extremely
hard and with great enthusiasm to bring this very demanding
task to such a successful conclusion.
"But I am sure that Lucy and all the members of
the forum would also agree that we have relied heavily on
the unfailing good natured support and commitment of Michelle
O'Brien.
"I also want to take this opportunity to thank you
both for the organisation of this event and for masterminding
the production of this very attractive and well designed document.
"I also wish, as chairman, to thank all those other
people who contributed to the drafting groups, the final editing
board and Cornwall County Council's research unit LINC (the
Local Intelligence Network Cornwall) - Robin Miller and Kathryn
Meredith.
"I would like to go on naming all those individuals
who have been involved but I hope they will all accept that
we are extremely grateful and very much appreciate their tremendous
input to this piece of work.
"A major benefit of this inclusive approach and
a long consultation process has been the buy-in of the strategy
by the partners in the Forum, very necessary if it
is going to have meaning and influence.
"When we launched the last revision of 'Strategy
and Action' at Newquay Cornwall Airport, I pointed out that
we were beginning to see visible examples of economic regeneration
taking place all around us.
"This regeneration is continuing and, in the years
between 1995 and 2005, our GVA (gross value added) growth
rate was faster than the national average.
"But, we started from a very low baseline and our
economy is still fragile.
"There is still a long way to go.
"Great things have been achieved through the Objective
One Programme, and may I take this opportunity to warmly congratulate
everyone involved in Objective One, which has been judged
by Europe as the best performing programme in the UK.
"It has certainly raised the profile of Cornwall
and the aspirations of our people.
"And, never a day goes by when Cornwall doesn't
feature somewhere in the national media.
"Last Sunday, there was even a double page spread
in The Independent which highlighted how the Cornish diaspora
want to get in on the act by having our world heritage site
status extended to their own Cornish mining communities across
the world - real recognition.
"And, who can doubt the advantages accruing to young
people and the economy from the Objective One investment in
Jamie Oliver's inspired Fifteen Cornwall restaurant?
"Cornwall is now gaining a reputation which is second
to none in the quality of locally sourced food and gourmet
restaurants.
"Kingsley Village, the excellent facility we are
in at the moment, is a private sector project which has been
supported by Objective One.
"And, make no mistake about it, the engagement of
the private sector is critical to the success of any economic
regeneration programme.
"And we must make sure that we perform as well in
the forthcoming Convergence programmes.
"We won't be starting cold as we did in Objective
One, we will have had several years of establishing strong
partnership working under our belt and this is a tremendous
asset to build on.
"I would like to take this opportunity to wish all
those charged with taking this forward, not least the managing
authority, the Regional Development Agency, every success
in the coming years.
"But we must not forget that the future economy
of Cornwall is wider than being just recipients of European
funding programmes and this is reflected in Strategy and Action.
"As I said earlier, we chose Newquay Cornwall Airport
to launch our last revision of Strategy and Action and I am
personally delighted to see that project is progressing beyond
our wildest dreams of three years ago.
"Congratulations are very much in order for those
who have done so much in making this happen and I have to
mention the development team at Cornwall County Council, the
Regional Development Agency and the Cornwall County councillors
who have had difficult decisions to make but have, nonetheless,
stood by their commitment to the airport.
"And one of our speakers this afternoon, Councillor
Andrew Mitchell has been a real champion of the project.
"We identified 10 top priorities three years ago
and, looking at them again, we can see that a lot have already
been achieved.
"The A30 is being dualled on Goss Moor - isn't it
looking good?
"The Dobwalls by-pass is currently underway - an
amazing piece of civil engineering.
"Also, The development of CUC phase 2, and the dualling
of the Probus Burngullow railway line.
"We now have every confidence that the improvement
to the sea links to the Isles of Scilly will go ahead and,
of course, the actnow Objective One broadband
project has been a resounding success.
"Local partnerships in towns and the rural areas
have been enhanced, although there is still work to do.
"We are essentially a rural area and any economic
regeneration must take this into account.
"We still have a way to go in delivering quality,
well designed workspace and, despite the physical infrastructure
improvements I have already mentioned, you wouldn't expect
me to say that we don't want more.
"Businesses still say that our infrastructure is
a barrier to investment and this must be taken on board.
"I could go on but my own agenda is still to equip
our workforce and young people to meet the demands of the
high quality businesses we want to see grow in Cornwall and
to overcome our low wage economy.
"We have wonderful opportunities in Cornwall - a
fantastic environment which is the envy of the rest of the
country.
"The Combined Universities in Cornwall and the opportunity
to build on that, within the context of climate change, to
develop environmental and renewable energy technologies.
"In fact, we have a great deal to be grateful for.
"I see 'Strategy and Action' as a real road-map
to wealth creation - it is ambitious of course (but what is
wrong with that) and some of its objectives will only be achieved
in the long term but I am an optimist who feels that most
can be achieved if we all apply ourselves.
"I am extremely proud and honoured to be the chairman
of the Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Economic Forum at this
exciting time and commend Strategy and Action to you."
Carleen Kelemen's welcome to Danuta Hübner
(European Commissioner for Regional Policy) during her visit
to Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly on Monday 22 May 2006
Back in 1999 when we negotiated the Objective One Programme
for Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly, Cornwall was a very
different place to the Cornwall of today.
Back then we wouldn't have envisaged media headlines such
as "Cool Cornwall" or "Cornwall's on a Roll" or
"Cornwall the Place to Think Differently" nor did we foresee
that in less than 6 years these new perceptions would be created
by:
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the success of the Tate Gallery in St Ives |
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the National Maritime museum at Falmouth housing the
national small boat collection from Greenwich |
|
the buzz and excitement around the Extreme Sports Academy
at Watergate Bay |
|
the national and regional recognition for Cornish food
and drink - a renewal in the sense of pride of our local
produce and ability |
|
the growth of low cost airlines flying into Newquay
Airport |
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the Peninsula Medical School and Knowledge Spa in Truro |
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the Eden Project, one of the most photographed buildings
in the world – creating a new iconic image for Cornwall
and the perception of a "can-do" culture |
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a 21st century IT infrastructure available to over 99%
of this peninsula |
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or that we would be sitting in this wonderful building,
the hub of our Combined Universities in Cornwall |
Back then, Commissioner, our economy was characterised by
a lack of confidence, recognition of market failure and years
of consistently having the lowest GVA per head in the UK.
Our problem was not one of unemployment but underemployment.
The quality of jobs was poor and average income levels were
32% below national levels.
Our traditional industries of agriculture, fishing and mining
were in long term decline and local economic conditions did
not support entrepreneurship or the emergence of competitive
growth sectors.
And critically, our young people were leaving, leaving for
higher education or better career opportunities or simply
better paid full time jobs.
With Objective One came the opportunity to set out our vision
for a prosperous Cornwall and Isles of Scilly where all people
and communities share in an improving quality of life.
Creating that equality of opportunity where everyone is encouraged
to raise their aspirations for themselves and others, is what
drives Objective One and is at the heart of everything we
do. So our strategy was to create the conditions for new opportunities
whilst tackling those barriers to social and economic exclusion.
And in so doing we firmly set our sights on moving towards
a more knowledge based economy - this was going to be a long
term generational approach and to start we had to look to
refettle the structure of the Cornish economy and at the beginning
of this long journey create the beginning of a renaissance
through a new root for our future - the first ever Combined
Universities in Cornwall.
In working towards this we have:
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invested in quality workspace to attract quality businesses
which can offer better paid jobs. And have used the best
of sustainable technologies from Cornwall's mining past |
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invested in our infrastructure where it is a barrier
to economic growth |
|
added value to traditional industries to preserve their
benefit locally |
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invested in local food processors to use local produce
creating new markets and smarter ways of working through
collaboratives and the better use of modern technologies |
|
invested in the fabric and public areas of our historic
and much loved towns to make them more attractive places
to live and work and invest in |
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jumped forward a generation in the creation and use
of an IT infrastructure for the 21st century - the virtual
bridge to address peripherality - from having less than
1% broadband access in 2000 we now have over 99% across
Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly |
|
reached out to those people of working age who are incapacitated
or disadvantaged and helped them to move closer to or
into the labour market |
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created new pools of learning and knowledge for our
people and our businesses through the creation of the
Combined Universities in Cornwall, the Peninsula Medical
School and Knowledge Spa, and the Eden Project |
Such a difference, Commissioner, in less than 6 years since
the Programme began; a difference characterised through Confidence,
Change, Quality, and Partnership. Core partnerships through
Cornwall County Council, District Councils, the Council of
the Isles of Scilly, the South West Regional Development Agency
and Government Office for the South West. Partnerships across
Europe, UK government, regional and local bodies - the exemplar
engagement of the Private Sector both in terms of strategic
guidance and delivery of projects.
And we are now seeing new partnerships emerging of businesses,
planners, universities and the local communities.
We have created these partnerships through hard work, transparency
and effective delivery. Strong partnerships which now have
the confidence and trust to continue the challenge that lies
ahead.
As you have said in the past, Commissioner, "we reach
out to people we know and trust, those around tomorrow and
the day after."
And the economy? There are visible signs of change all around
us and after years of economic decline the local GVA statistics
for Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly for 2003 show us as one
of the fastest growing economies in the UK - at a percentage
growth of 6.8% - outperforming both the UK average and Inner
London in terms of rates of growth.
And the lessons and benefits of the Objective One Programme
have not just been for Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly but
have informed both regional and national economic agendas
as well as providing new models of best practice for the European
member states:
|
the actnow project reset the UK government's
approach to the rollout of broadband and the support for
business take-up |
|
the innovative work with Jobcentre Plus which has played
a transformational role here in creating a new way of
reaching out and effectively helping the economically
inactive to work |
|
the Combined Universities in Cornwall model as the regenerator
of the economy and its outreach to business is being shared
across the UK and Europe |
For me the difference lies in the attitude and aspirations
of the people around us. You can see it and feel it.
New types of businesses are emerging, particularly in the
media and IT sectors and traditional businesses are transforming
themselves through new knowledge and technologies to meet
the changing need of national and global markets and there
are people who have been supported by the Programme in overcoming
social and economic barriers:
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single parent who achieved her dream of being a bus
driver through the Truronian Training Project |
|
or our lady in her early 50s who for years would not
apply for a job because she had personal issues and has
now been assisted by the programme to overcome this and
apply for interviews |
|
the dairy farmers in Bodmin who, through the programme,
have diversified into bottled spring water which is selling
across restaurants in Cornwall and in London |
|
and the young man from Falmouth whose family couldn't
afford to send him away to university who now studies
here at the Hub |
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and the young man who had a serious drink problem when
he was 14/15 years old and very little hope that life
would get better - he is now one of the trainee chefs
at the newly opened Jamie Oliver Fifteen Cornwall project
at Watergate Bay, a project supported by the Programme |
President Barroso in his address "Working together for growth
and jobs - A New start for the Lisbon agenda" has laid down
some serious and ambitious challenges for the next round of
structural funds and we are ready to accept that challenge
to concentrate our efforts for delivering those stepchange
investments focussing on knowledge, education, innovation
and distinctiveness which will deliver longer lasting growth
and creating better jobs accessible to all.
Our work is really just beginning.
Carleen Kelemen
Director of the Objective One Partnership for Cornwall and
the Isles of Scilly
Eurostat 2002 GDP Data
As many of you may be aware, Eurostat have just published
the 2002 GDP (wealth creation) data for regions across the
EU. Although these are initial statistics, which will be revised
during 2005, they point to increases in wealth creation in
Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly in 2002.
The increase in GDP probably reflects both the national economic
trends and the early signs of the impact of the Objective
One Programme. The Cornwall and Isles of Scilly GDP figures
for 2002 are 72 per cent of the EU average. The equivalent
figure for 2001 was 65 per cent. Qualification for the EU's
highest level of regional funding (known as convergence, which
will follow Objective One) will be based on the average GDP
over the three years 2001 to 2003. At the moment it looks
as though Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly will qualify for
this high level of investment.
The Eurostat press release can be viewed by clicking on the
link below:
Eurostat
Press Release
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 Objective
One Partnership receives 'Cornwall Action Team for Jobs Partnership
Award'
Carleen Kelemen, Director (left) and Mark Yeoman, Environmental
Sustainability Theme Manager (right) collect the Objective
One Partnership's Cornwall Action Team for Jobs award from
Michelle Maslen, Cornwall Jobcentre Plus District Manager
(centre)
Jobcentre Plus has been celebrating the success of Cornwall
Action Team for Jobs (CAT) with a Partnership Awards event
which took place at the Penventon Hotel at Redruth on Friday
14th May, 2004. The theme was "Celebrating Success and
Delivering for the Future".
Cornwall Action Team for Jobs was launched in October 2000,
one of just 65 Action Teams nationwide. Their challenge is
to support people who are furthest from the labour market
into sustainable employment. And their success in doing so
is certainly worthy of celebration. Since October 2000 CAT
has helped over 1600 people into work.
Michelle Maslen, Cornwall Jobcentre Plus District Manager
said, "Cornwall Action Team has the additional challenge
of working in a rural area. But the team has been hugely successful,
in fact the best performing Action Team in the country. The
key to our success has been close partnership working with
all sectors to develop pathways to employment opportunities
that are tailored to individual need. This event has given
us the opportunity to recognise everyone who has contributed
to the success of the CAT, particularly the customers who
have accessed our support."
She added, "The Objective One Partnership Office
has been a great source of support to Jobcentre Plus in integrating
the welfare to work agenda into the Objective One Programme.
Their investment has given us the opportunity to build on
the success of CAT, to broaden delivery and support more individuals
and groups."
Cornwall Action Team Manager Andy Brelsford adds, "Cornwall
Action Team is now moving into its third and final stage with
funding secured until March 2006. We now have some new target
areas with projects in Porthtowan/ St Agnes due to be launched
in June. We are also working with partners to develop Action
Team projects in Newquay and Torpoint later this year."
Another reason to celebrate is the way that CAT has used
its own funding and investment from Cornwall and the Isles
of Scilly's Objective One Programme to expand delivery and
fund other organisations to deliver projects under the Pathways
to Employment umbrella.
Carleen Kelemen, Director of the Objective One Partnership
for Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly said: "Developing
our people is developing our future. Jobcentre Plus and the
Cornwall Action Team for Jobs are essential partners working
with the Objective One Programme in providing innovative ways
to enable people who are disadvantaged in the labour market
move into work or training. The people-centred approach of
Jobcentre Plus is fundamental to their success."
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Commission Rewards Programme Success
Today sees the first public accolade from the Commission
for the successful performance of the first half of the Objective
One Programme for Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly.
The Programme has received an additional 5.15% on top of
the total Objective One budget for meeting all its performance
related targets.
Richard Bayly, Director of Government Office for the South
West in Devon and Cornwall said, "This award is a rate
of confidence by the European Commission and the UK Government
in the way Objective One has been implemented in Cornwall
and the Isles of Scilly.
"The European programmes all plan for a 4 % performance
bonus so it is particularly pleasing that the Objective One
programme in Cornwall has exceeded this, winning almost £7
million more than the usual award."
And it is in the incremental uplift of the award that the
Commission and UK Government are signalling their acknowledgement
of the unique attributes of the Programme here in Cornwall
and the Isles of Scilly. Attributes that mark a new confidence
and ambition in piloting different projects, in laying down
long term investment plans that transcend political cycles
and in looking outward to forge partnerships that will accelerate
the evolution of our economy towards the future that awaits
us in the 21st century.
County Council Leader John Lobb says, "This is a tremendous
accolade for the Objective One Partnership. For the EC to
recognise our partnership structure and the overall ambition
of our projects is a clear sign they consider the Programme
to be a model of best practice."
And sincere thanks to all of you who have given such energy
and commitment to the Programme in helping us all achieve
this accolade today and in laying the foundation for sustainable
economic growth.
Now to the second half – which is often the hardest
part. We need to build on our strengths and lessons learnt
and follow through with the timely development of complex
capital projects that will underpin our infrastructure for
a more knowledge based economy.
Money isn't the issue. Maintaining our ambition and making
the difference in the limited time we have left is what matters.
This is our Programme and working together we can confidently
'make it happen'.
Thank you.
Carleen Kelemen
Director, Objective One Partnership
Click
here to view the full media release
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Cornwall: The Mix
On the 7th May 2003 His Royal Highness The Duke of Cornwall
visited the newly opened Helford Building at Truro College
for an Objective One showcase event. Featuring a range of
exhibits, the event demonstrated how Objective One has made
real differences to the industries and businesses of Cornwall.
Click
here to access press releases about the event
or on the links below to view the speeches and photographs.
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