Commissioning in ERDF Convergence
Commissioning is the process of developing, testing and if appropriate procuring investments. Once procured commissioned investments, such as support for business, will be straight forward for businesses to access.
Why has ERDF Convergence adopted a commissioning approach? Turning programme strategy into delivery has always been a challenge and the gap between the aspirations of a programme and delivery on the ground can be large. So programme partners have agreed to take a more proactive approach to securing the ERDF Programme's mission through a way of working that aims to make relatively few strategic investments. This is commissioning - overseen by the Cornwall County Council, Government Office for the South West and the South West Regional Development Agency on behalf of the Joint Programme Monitoring Committee (PMC) - and is the process of testing, developing and, if appropriate, procuring potential investments for ERDF Convergence.
To ensure that the testing and developing of investment propositions is as robust as possible information and evidence will be gathered from the public and private sectors locally, regionally and further afield to help ensure that the best possible information and good practice are brought to the Programme.
Once this has been done, the entire investment proposition in the shape of a fully worked up business plan - detailed guidance is available from the South West RDA and the appropriate RDA commissioning managers - is appraised by the separate specialist team within the RDA, using the criteria approved by the PMC. All investments must comply with the public procurement Regulations so far as they are applicable.
After any issues arising from this rigorous process have been satisfactorily dealt with the proposition is submitted to the Endorsement Advisory Group - an advisory group to the Programme Monitoring Committee - for partnership sign-off.
When approved, the difficult work begins - delivering the investment designed to meet the aspirational agenda of the ERDF Convergence Operational Programme!
