Council Regulation (EC) No 1083/2006 (repealed)Show full title

CHAPTER II U.K. National strategic reference framework

Article 27 U.K. Content

1. The Member State shall present a national strategic reference framework which ensures that assistance from the Funds is consistent with the Community strategic guidelines on cohesion, and which identifies the link between Community priorities, on the one hand, and its national reform programme, on the other.

2. Each national strategic reference framework shall constitute a reference instrument for preparing the programming of the Funds.

3. The national strategic reference framework shall apply to the Convergence objective and the Regional competitiveness and employment objective. It may also, if a Member State so decides, apply to the European territorial cooperation objective, without prejudice to the future choices of other Member States concerned.

4. The national strategic reference framework shall contain the following elements:

(a) an analysis of development disparities, weaknesses and potential, taking into account trends in the European and world economy;

(b) the strategy chosen on the basis of that analysis, including the thematic and territorial priorities. Where appropriate these priorities shall include actions relating to sustainable urban development, the diversification of rural economies and areas dependent on fisheries;

(c) the list of operational programmes for the Convergence and Regional competitiveness and employment objectives;

(d) a description of how the expenditure for the Convergence and Regional competitiveness and employment objectives will contribute to the European Union priorities of promoting competitiveness and creating jobs, including meeting the objectives of the Integrated Guidelines for Growth and Jobs (2005 to 2008) as laid down in Article 9(3).

(e) the indicative annual allocation from each Fund by programme;

(f) for regions of the Convergence objective only:

(i)

the action envisaged for reinforcing the Member State's administrative efficiency;

(ii)

the amount of the total annual appropriation provided for under the EAFRD and the EFF;

(ii)

the information required for ex ante verification of compliance with the additionality principle referred to in Article 15;

(g) for Member States eligible for the Cohesion Fund under Articles 5(2) and 8(3), information on the mechanisms for ensuring coordination between operational programmes themselves and between these and the EAFRD, the EFF and, where appropriate, the interventions of the EIB and of other existing financial instruments.

5. In addition, the national strategic reference framework may also contain, where relevant, the following elements:

(a) the procedure for coordination between Community cohesion policy and the relevant national, sectoral and regional policies of the Member State concerned;

(b) for Member States other than those referred to in paragraph 4(g), information on the mechanisms for ensuring coordination between operational programmes themselves and between these and the EAFRD, the EFF and the interventions of the EIB and of other existing financial instruments.

6. The information contained in the national strategic reference framework shall take account of the specific institutional arrangements of each Member State.

Article 28 U.K. Preparation and adoption

1. The national strategic reference framework shall be prepared by the Member State, after consultation with relevant partners as referred to in Article 11, in accordance with the procedure that it considers most appropriate and with its institutional structure. It shall cover the period 1 January 2007 to 31 December 2013.

The Member State shall prepare the national strategic reference framework in dialogue with the Commission, with a view to ensuring a common approach.

2. Each Member State shall transmit the national strategic reference framework to the Commission within five months following the adoption of the Community strategic guidelines on cohesion. The Commission shall take note of the national strategy and the priority themes chosen for assistance from the Funds, and make such observations as it considers appropriate within three months from the date of receipt of the framework.

The Member State may present at the same time the national strategic reference framework and the operational programmes referred to in Article 32.

3. Before or at the same time as the adoption of the operational programmes referred to in Article 32(5), the Commission, following consultation with the Member State, shall take a decision covering:

(a) the list of operational programmes referred to in Article 27(4)(c);

(b) the indicative annual allocation from each Fund by programme referred to in Article 27(4)(e); and

(c) for the Convergence objective only, the level of expenditure guaranteeing compliance with the additionality principle referred to in Article 15 and the action envisaged for reinforcing administrative efficiency as referred to in Article 27(4)(f)(i).