WD17 Draft Revised TAN 13 – Tourism
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Welsh European Funding Office West Wales and the Valleys Convergence Programme Operational Programme for the European Regional Development Fund 2007-2013 CCI Number: 2007UK161PO002 24 September 2010 1 Operational Programme CONTENTS Chapter Page Tables................................................................................................................5 INTRODUCTION...............................................................................................6 CHAPTER 1 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY...............................................................8 CHAPTER 2 SUMMARY ANALYSIS OF WEST WALES AND THE VALLEYS ..........................................................................................................................12 .........................................................................................................................21 CHAPTER 3 THE STRATEGY.........................................................................35 CHAPTER 4 PRIORITY AXES.........................................................................83 CHAPTER 5 CROSS-CUTTING THEMES.....................................................145 CHAPTER 6 IMPLEMENTING PROVISIONS................................................156 CHAPTER 7 FINANCIAL PROVISIONS.........................................................187 2 Annexes Full Analysis A List of Major Projects B Core Indicators C Baseline Indicators D Lessons Learned E Ex-ante Evaluation F Non-technical summary of Strategic Environmental Assessment G Full Strategic Environmental Assessment H Equality Matrix I Environmental Matrix J Welsh Assembly Government Organogram K Consultation details including full list of consultees L Indicative List of Strategic Frameworks M Strategic Framework Co-ordinators’ Responsibilities N Financial Flows and Controls O Summary of Monitoring and Evaluation Plan P Cross-cutting Themes lessons learned Q Co-ordination between ERDF/ESF/EAFRD and EFF R 3 Figures Figure 1. Map of the West Wales and the Valleys Convergence Programmes area...................................................................................................................13 Figure 2. GDP per head (Purchasing Power Parities (a)) EU25=100 (b)..........14 Figure 3. Analysis of GVA per head differences across West Wales and the Valleys compared to the Welsh average, 2001–2003 average ........................15 Figure 4. Progress against Lisbon targets, 2005 and 2010..............................18 Figure 5. Economic inactivity rates by highest qualification, 2004 (per cent of the working age population)..............................................................................19 Figure 6. Qualification/skill set, West Wales and the Valleys (UK=1) .............19 Figure 7. Analysis of earnings (a) differentials (percentage difference from Great Britain average) ......................................................................................21 Figure 8. Civilian Workforce Jobs by industry, bubble charts...........................22 Figure 9. VAT Registrations per 1,000 working age population........................24 Figure 10. Traffic flows ...................................................................................26 Figure 11. Welsh Index of Multiple Deprivation ..............................................29 Figure 12. Links between the main Challenges and the Priorities....................38 Figure 13. Links between Operational Programme, CSGs and Integrated Guidelines .......................................................................................................40 Figure 14. Link between CSG objectives and ERDF and ESF Convergence Priorities............................................................................................................41 Figure 15. Spatial Plan Vision...........................................................................46 Figure 16. Wales Policy Map (overleaf)............................................................47 Figure 17. Wales Spatial Plan Collaboration and Implementation Structures.164 Figure 18. Proposed structure for PMC and standing sub-committees..........165 Figure 19. Setting selection and prioritisation criteria.....................................170 Figure 20. Applying selection and prioritisation criteria...................................170 Figure 21. Route for securing Structural Funds grant.....................................172 4 Tables Table 1. Labour market summary, EU25 comparison (percentage).................17 Table 2. SWOT Analysis for ERDF Convergence.............................................32 Table 3. Contribution of ERDF Priority 1 to EU and UK policy priorities...........52 Table 4. Contribution of ERDF Priority 2 to EU and UK policy priorities...........53 Table 5. Contribution of ERDF Priority 3 to EU and UK policy priorities...........54 Table 6. Contribution of ERDF Priority 4 to EU and UK policy priorities..........56 Table 7. Contribution of ERDF Priority 5 to EU and UK policy priorities...........57 Table 8. Programme level tracking indicators...................................................66 Table 9. Programme Level Indicators...............................................................68 Table 10. Summary of responses to Convergence consultation by sector.......74 Table 11. Summary of responses received to consultation on the Environmental Report and actions undertaken.................................................80 Table 12. Indicators to track progress of projects and the programme – ERDF Priority 1............................................................................................................90 Table 13. ESF Indicators for Priority 1.............................................................96 Table 14. Indicators to track progress of projects and the programme – ERDF Priority 2..........................................................................................................101 Table 15. ESF Indicators for Priority 2............................................................106 Table 16. Indicators to track progress of projects and the programme – ERDF Priority 3..........................................................................................................114 Table 17. Indicators to track progress of projects and the programme – ERDF Priority 4..........................................................................................................125 Table 18. ESF Indicators for Priority 4............................................................130 Table 19. Indicators to track progress of projects and the programme – ERDF Priority 5..........................................................................................................135 Table 20. ESF Indicators for Priority 5............................................................140 Table 21. Representative Membership of PMC by Sector Organisation.........166 5 INTRODUCTION This Convergence Operational Programme sets out the Welsh Assembly Government’s strategy and priorities for the economic, social and environmental regeneration of West Wales and the Valleys over the period 2007–2013 with the support of the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF). It is augmented by a separate but complementary European Social Fund (ESF) Convergence Programme. Acting together, these programmes will have a catalytic affect in extending and enhancing the Welsh Assembly Government’s own strong commitments to the Lisbon and Gothenburg reform agendas. The Convergence Operational Programme has been developed in the context of the Integrated Guidelines for Growth and Jobs (2005-2008), and the Community Strategic Guidelines (2007-2013) which set out cohesion policy objectives at EU level. The programme complements the strategic priorities and objectives set out in the UK National Strategic Reference Framework and directly contributes to addressing the challenges set out in the UK National Reform Programme for Jobs and Growth, with the aim of delivering long-term sustainable growth, high employment and a fair and inclusive society. This ERDF Convergence Programme will promote a close alignment between EU and national policies for jobs and growth. The Wales economic development strategy Wales: a Vibrant Economy points the way towards a dynamic economy delivering strong and sustainable economic growth by providing opportunities for all. It has a clear focus on the Lisbon objectives of improving economic growth and providing additional jobs for the people of Wales, taking forward priorities in Wales: A Better Country. The strategy identifies the complementary relationship between economic, social and environmental policies. It is supported by our Environmental Strategy for Wales with its vision of a distinctive Welsh environment thriving and contributing to the economic and social well being and health of all of the people of Wales. As with the Lisbon agenda there is a strong complementary relationship between economic and environmental policies in the vision and strategic priorities of the Welsh Assembly Government. These considerations lead to an Operational Programme which will: • Build the knowledge based economy; • Strengthen the economy through stimulating enterprise and business development; • Equip the region with the physical infrastructure necessary for the development of a modern competitive economy and to stimulate agglomeration effects; • Promote sustainable business growth and new business opportunities in relation to environmental challenges and opportunities;