Communities and Local Government

• Cities and regions
• Relevant information - the wider context

Cities and regions

Relevant information - the wider context

ODPM has a wide range of EU interests.

Planning

Responsibility for the Environmental Impact Assessment Directive; the Strategic Environmental Assessment Directive; and the Management of Waste in the Extractive Industries Directive.

Regional policy

Overseeing implementation Objective 1 and Objective 2 structural fund programmes within England for the period 2000-06 (including the European Regional Development Fund); interests in state aids rules, especially in regard to regeneration; engagement with the Commission and new Member States on twinning projects (aimed at helping applicant countries meet EU standards before acceding to the EU).

Local and regional government

Support for regional and local government representation at the European Level - contribution to development of EU initiatives with governance implications for local and regional authorities (for example tripartite arrangements, inter-territorial co-operation and reducing regulatory burdens); negotiations with the Commission on their Thematic Strategy on the Urban Environment (from the 6^th Environmental Action Plan), which could affect environmental planning at local authorities.

Building

Responsibility for the Construction Products Directive (linked to Single Market legislation) and the Energy Performance in Buildings Directive.

Other

Other parts of ODPM are affected by European activity - particularly on social and employment fields (Housing and homelessness, social exclusion, neighbourhood renewal and fire policy).