Annex 4: Visit note—Lille, 21-22
June 2006
Summary of the Committee's Visit to Lille, 21-22
June 2006
Meeting with CEOs/senior representatives of the
business community
Meeting with Marc Roquette, Roquette Frères
(one of France's top 60 companies), Gonzague Mulliez, Saint Maclou
(UK subsidiary is Allied Carpets), Aude Dumenil, SNCF (French
railways), François Bourgin, EDF (electricity company)
Topics discussed:
The economic development of the Lille-Metropole area
and the role of local and regional government; the rationale for
business investment in the area; the ease of gaining planning
permission for developments; taxation levels on businesses; the
effectiveness of decentralisation and tiers of government.
Meeting with the Préfet de Region and other
state representatives
Meeting with the Préfet de Region, Deputy
Préfet and a number of other state officials.
Topics discussed:
The changing role of the Préfet; the ability
to hold public refendums; the relationship between state departments
at regional level; the proposal for a new road between Lille and
Paris; the accessibility of information to the public.
Meeting with the Regional Economic and Social
Committee
Meeting with M. Delannoy (Vice-Presidents of Trade
Union bloc), M. Macé (Employers' Federation bloc), M. Abdelatif
(Civil Society bloc).
Topics discussed:
The effectiveness of the Communauté Urbaine;
the funding of capital infrastructure developments; the role of
the Préfet; views on the expansion of Lille-Metropole area;
the role of local authorities in race relations.
Meeting with minority ethnic community leaders
Meeting with Mr Lasfar, Imam of the Lille Mosque,
Mr Mameche and a number of representatives from the Muslim community
in Lille.
Topics discussed:
The establishment of a school by the Muslim community,
including causes and role; the causes and political response to
the 2005 riots.
Meeting with Prime Minister Mauroy
Meeting with Prime Minister Mauroy and a number of
Communauté Urbaine representatives.
Topics discussed:
The history and development of decentralisation in
France since the 1980s; the changing economy in the Lille area;
the expansion of Lille-Metropole; the nature of decentralisation
as a long-term process.
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