20 Commission Work Programme
| (32137)
15772/10
+ ADD 1
COM(10) 623
| Commission Communication: Commission Work Programme 2011
|
| Legal base | —
|
| Document originated | 27 October 2010
|
| Deposited in Parliament | 5 November 2010
|
| Department | Foreign and Commonwealth Office
|
| Basis of consideration | EM of 26 November 2010
|
| Previous Committee Report | None
|
| To be discussed in Council | No date set
|
| Committee's assessment | Legally and politically important
|
| Committee's decision | Cleared
|
Background
20.1 At the end of each year, the Commission publishes
a Work Programme (CWP). The publication of the 2010 CWP was delayed
by the establishment of a new Commission and was, as a consequence,
less specific in its proposals than usual. This 2011 document
sets out the priorities of the Commission for the forthcoming
year and the major legislative and non-legislative proposals it
intends to pursue. The Work Programme is built on the five main
political priorities for the EU which were set out by President
Barroso in the first state of the Union Address to the European
Parliament on 7 September 2010. These were:
· Dealing
with the economic crisis and building the momentum of the recovery;
· Restoring
growth for jobs by accelerating the Europe 2020 reform agenda;
· Building
an area of freedom, justice and security;
· Launching
negotiations for a modern EU budget; and
· Pulling
the EU's weight on the global stage.
Annexed to the CWP are more detailed explanations
of strategic and priority initiatives for 2011 and beyond.
20.2 This work programme is the first to be adopted
under the new programming cycle initiated by the Political guidelines
of the Commission President and set out in the Framework Agreement
between the European Parliament and the Commission.
Commission Communication
20.3 The CWP focuses on three
priority areas: sustainable economic and financial sector reform
including plans to tackle climate change; justice and home affairs,
primarily to improve the functioning of the single market; and
developing a cohesive external relations policy. In order to put
these policies into effect, the Commission expects 2011 to see
the benefits of a major reflection on how the EU can modernise
its policy and financial instruments and maximise the added value
of EU action.
20.4 On economic reforms, the Commission plans to
focus on restoring growth through improving economic governance
and coordination. The Commission's new proposals are intended
to increase surveillance of fiscal policies at EU level and new
enforcement mechanisms will be designed to prevent or correct
excesses that could damage Europe's financial or fiscal stability.
In January 201, the Commission will adopt its first Annual Growth
Survey to launch the European Semester, which the Commission states
will "become the central structure for the EU's common efforts
to boost growth and jobs".[144]
20.5 On Financial regulation, the Commission will
table early in 2011 the remaining proposals to complete its financial
sector reform. There will be a particular focus on the protection
of small investors and ordinary consumers. The proposals will
complete the Commission's reform programme for the financial sector
with the aim of having the full reform agreed by the end of 2011.
20.6 As a major attempt at integrated policy making,
the Commission will set out its vision for "Resource Efficiency"
as a flagship initiative in 2011. The aim is to build a framework
based on resource efficiency to include the shift to a low carbon
society which sets sectoral policies within a long-term sustainable
framework. A particular focus will be the job-creating potential
of energy infrastructure and efficiency. The Commission will continue
its efforts on combating climate change both through efforts for
a global agreement and through intensive work with bilateral partners
on common projects in areas such as clean technologies, carbon
trading and renewable energy.
20.7 The Commission wants to ensure that its growth
agenda has a social dimension. To help achieve this it will bring
forward a proposal to improve the implementation of the Posted
Workers Directive and update the Working Time Directive. Inclusive
growth will, according to the Commission's plans, necessitate
the addressing of societal challenges such as the impact of an
ageing population and the Commission will support "Member
States' action to deliver adequate and sustainable pensions for
citizens".[145]
20.8 The Commission recognises that there will be
no long-term growth in Europe without a well-functioning Single
Market. The Work Programme therefore proposes what the Commission
calls "concrete proposals to re-launch the single market
— in a Single Market Act — and in the Europe 2020
flagship initiative on Industrial Policy".[146]
In the area of taxation a proposal for a Common Consolidated Corporate
Tax Base is aimed at simplifying the tax rules and removing obstacles
which companies suffer when they operate cross-border, without
affecting actual tax rates.
20.9 In the area of Freedom, Security and Justice,
the Communication points to gaps which the Commission regards
as remaining between what the Lisbon Treaty says and the reality
that citizens face in their daily lives. The Commission therefore
intends to ensure that citizens' rights in the Treaties are translated
into substantial protective measures, and that the Stockholm Programme[147]
is implemented. Efforts in this field will cover both civil and
criminal law. They will include clarifying European contract law,
as well as further proposals aimed at introducing minimum standards
in the field of legal assistance and aid, and a Directive on the
rights of victims of crime to ensure that victims receive support
when out of their home state.
20.10 The Commission will seek to work with the new
External Action Service (EAS) to develop a cohesive external affairs
policy. The Commission has an interest in both trade, enlargement
and implementing humanitarian aid policies and is aware of the
need to coordinate them with the work of the EAS. It intends to
focus on developing a consistent position in international negotiations,
progressing negotiations on enlargement, modernising humanitarian
aid and developing a trade policy that can assist and support
developing countries integrate into the global economy. As well
as pursuing major bilateral agreements and maintaining pressure
for a breakthrough in WTO negotiations, the Commission will present
a proposal for an instrument to improve access to public procurement
markets in developed and large developing economies. Progress
in negotiations with candidate countries will have a special emphasis
on respect for the rule of law.
20.11 The Work Programme also outlines a general
approach of seeking to improve efficiency in the way the EU operates
— the Budget Review[148]
is cited among the means by which this will be achieved. The Commission
intends move, as it says, from "input to impact" through
improving the targeting of EU spending, to ensure that money is
spent in ways that will clearly add value, and it will propose
changes to the way EU finances are collected. The Commission also
plans to continue work on reducing the regulatory burden imposed
by EU legislation, and on improving the policy making process.
The Government's view
20.12 As the Minister for Europe
(Mr David Lidington) notes in his Explanatory Memorandum of 26
November 2010, the CWP covers a broad range of issues and the
Government will provide detailed responses to the policy initiatives
that the Commission has outlined in this document when legislative
proposals are put forward. However, the Government has provided
an overview of what it identifies as the key policy implications
and its initial view on those implications in respect of initiatives
that the Government has identified as being the most significant.
ECONOMIC AND FINANCIAL SECTOR REFORM
20.13 The Government notes the
Commission's plans to complete the economic governance reforms
it has been carrying out with a focus on improving co-ordination
of macro-economic policies. The Commission is also looking at
improving competition in the credit-rating industry and reducing
the over reliance of financial institutions on credit-rating agencies.
The Government is broadly supportive of the measures proposed
as they are primarily aimed at improving the operation of the
single market, improving stability in the financial sector and
encouraging growth and competition. The Government also supports
the introduction of guidelines for the rescue and restructuring
of financial institutions and amending the Capital Requirements
Directive and is keen to ensure that both initiatives improve
stability and reassure investor confidence.
20.14 The Government identifies proposals to improve
standardisation in the ICT sector, as worthy of particular support,
in the expectation that it should present an opportunity to reduce
the costs to UK ICT business of trading in other Member States.
20.15 There are two notable areas of potential concern
which the Minister identifies. The first is on proposals to amend
the Working Time Directive, if they were to threaten the retention
of the UK's opt-out allowing individuals who choose to work longer
than the 48 hour working week maximum. In addition, the Government
says it will pay close attention to subsidiarity concerns in relation
to the Directive. The second area of concern relates to the implementation
of the Posted Workers Directive, which the Minister says could
also cause concern if the measures undermined Member States' rights
over their own employment law and structures.
20.16 Where the Commission is planning to put forward
proposals on common rules for calculating corporate tax, the Minister
states that "whilst this should in theory benefit UK corporations
by reducing the costs of calculating tax in more than one Member
State, the Government will examine these proposals very carefully
to ensure that there is no competency creep in this area."[149]
The Minister welcomes the forthcoming VAT strategy, which will
set the strategic direction for VAT for the next few years, and
anticipates engaging actively with the Commission green paper
later this year.
CLIMATE CHANGE
20.17 The Government says that
it is likely to support the drawing up of low carbon and energy
roadmaps to 2050, in order to illustrate how the EU could go about
achieving its climate change goals. The roadmaps will highlight
the challenge of meeting the 80% to 95% Green House Gas (GHG)
target for 2050. However, the EM stresses the need to be vigilant
on the proposals to recast the Energy Services Directive for fear
that attempts to introduce mandatory energy efficiency targets
could result in less cost effective measures being implemented
to tackle climate change. In the Minister's view, Member States
are best placed to identify priorities for reducing GHG.
JUSTICE AND HOME AFFAIRS REFORM
20.18 The Government has a number
of concerns. It believes that in its current form the Data Retention
Directive provides sufficient flexibility for Member States to
implement the legislation in accordance with their own national
requirements and data protection laws. The Government will therefore
look carefully at proposals to review the Directive. Nor is the
Government convinced that the proposed initiative concerning confiscation
is compatible with what is outlined in the Stockholm Programme.
The Government also believes that proposals to establish an inventory
of airport capacities may be in breach of subsidiarity.
DEVELOPING A COHESIVE EXTERNAL RELATIONS POLICY
20.19 The Commission Communication
emphasises working with the EAS to develop trade and aid policies.
The Government has concerns around the wording on the Commission's
initiative to introduce new powers to 'take effective action'
when EU companies are experiencing difficulties in securing public
procurement contracts abroad lest it have the potential to be
used as a used as a protectionist measure. The Work Programme
also gives a push to further the enlargement process. The Government
states that it is in favour of further enlargement due to the
opportunities which it presents UK companies, and looks forward
to the Commission's assessment of Serbia's fulfilment of the membership
criteria.
FINANCIAL FRAMEWORK AGREEMENT
20.20 The Work Programme also
discusses modernising the budget's implementation to focus it
on areas that can add the maximum value. The Minister states that
this is in line with the Government's objective of improving efficiency
and cutting waste in EU expenditure, and adds that the Commission's
aim of modernising the budget will play an important role for
the UK as the Government defends UK interests in the EU budget
negotiation.
Conclusion
20.21 As in previous years,
we consider that the Work Programme provides a useful summary
of the Commission's priorities for the next 12 months. We therefore
recommend it to the relevant Departmental Select Committees (DSCs)
for their information and to indicate
possible areas for future inquiry. In order to help DSCs we have
provided the list of strategic proposals to be adopted by the
Commission in 2011 as an Annex to this chapter. The relevant UK
Government department is indicated in each case. A helpful short
commentary on the what the Commission's proposals could mean for
local authorities has been supplied by the Local Government Group
and is also produced as a further Annex to this chapter.
20.22 The level of information
provided on proposals in the Work Programme is insufficient for
scrutiny at this stage. However, as each proposal comes forward
it will be subject to scrutiny by the Committee in the normal
way. The Minister's EM gives a helpful indication of where the
Government foresees difficulty with the Commission's proposals.
Particularly welcome is the indication of potential subsidiarity
concerns in relation to three of the measures. We welcome the
Government's decision to set aside time to debate the Commission's
Work Programme in Westminster Hall. That debate will also cover
any outstanding issues from the 2010 CWP, on which the Committee
reported in September. In previous years the Government has provided
time to debate the Commission's Annual Policy Strategy. We consider
the Work Programme, however, to be a more appropriate document
on which to debate Commission's future programme as it contains
more information on which initiatives are likely to taken forward.
20.23 In the meantime, we are content to clear
the document.
Annex 1: Summary of the strategic
initiatives scheduled for adoption by the Commission under the
Work Programme for 2010 and those under consideration for adoption
Note: The measures are
arranged according to our assessment of which Government Department
is likely to be given responsibility for them, based on our experience
with similar proposals. This assessment may not always be correct
and may change with circumstances.
| ANNEX 1: STRATEGIC INITIATIVES SCHEDULED FOR ADOPTION IN 2011
|
| Dept.
| Subject
| Type of proposal
| Expected date of adoption
|
| HMT | Annual Growth survey
| Non-Legislative
Commission Communication
| 1st quarter 2011
|
| HMT | Strengthening economic governance follow-up
| Legislative | 1st quarter
|
| Financial Regulation: completing the reform
|
| HMT | Amendment to the Regulation on Credit Rating Agencies
| Legislative | 2nd quarter
|
| HMT | Legislative initiative on a framework for bank crisis management and resolution
| Legislative | 2nd quarter
|
| HMT | Amendments of Capital Requirements
Directives (CRD IV) (Carry-over 2010)
| Legislative | 2nd quarter
|
| HMT | Review of the Market Abuse Directive (Carry-over 2010)
| Legislative | 1st quarter
|
| HMT | Review of the Market in Financial Instruments Directive (MiFID)
| Legislative | 2nd quarter
|
| HMT | Directive on responsible lending and borrowing
| Legislative | 1st quarter
|
| HMT | Legislative proposal on access to basic banking
| Legislative | 1st quarter
|
| Smart growth
|
| BIS | Communication on a more integrated European Standardisation system and legislative proposal on standardisation, covering inter alia the ICT sector
| Non legislative Commission Communication/
Legislative
| 1st quarter |
| BIS/DfE | Communication on Modernisation of higher education
| Non legislative
Commission Communication
| 3rd quarter |
| Sustainable growth
|
| Low-carbon economy 2050 roadmap
| Non legislative
Commission Communication
| 1st quarter |
| Energy Roadmap 2050
| Non legislative | 3rd quarter
|
| Roadmap to a Resource Efficient Europe
| Non legislative | 2nd quarter
|
| European Energy Efficiency Plan until 2020
| Non legislative
Commission Communication
| 1st quarter |
| Directive on energy efficiency and savings
| Legislative | 3rd quarter
|
| DfT | White Paper on the future of transport (Carry-over 2010)
| Non-legislative | 1st quarter
|
| Inclusive growth
|
| BIS | Legislative initiative on Posting of Workers
| Legislative | 4th quarter
|
| BIS | Revision of the Directive on Working Time (Directive 2003/88) (Carry-over 2010)
| Legislative | 3rd quarter
|
| Revision of the State aid rules applicable to the services of general economic interest (SGEI):
i) Framework for State aid in the for of public service compensation
ii) Commission Decision on the application of article 106.2 TFEU to State aid in the form of public service compensation
| Non legislative | 4th quarter
|
| Dept.
| Subject
| Type of proposal
| Expected date of adoption
|
| DWP | White Paper on Pensions
| Non-legislative | 3rd quarter
|
| Tapping the potential of the Single Market for growth
|
| Legislative proposal on collective rights management
| Legislative | 1st quarter
|
| Legislative proposal for a Common Consolidated Corporate Tax Base (CCCTB)
| Legislative | 1st quarter
|
| HMT | Communication on the future VAT strategy
| Non-legislative | 4th quarter
|
| Follow-up to the consultation on Collective Redress
| Non-legislative | 4th quarter
|
| Legislative proposal on Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) in the EU
| Legislative | 4th quarter
|
| DfT | Airports package: (1) Airport capacity assessment and inventory, (2) Revision of the Slot Reegulation, (3) Revision of the Groundhandling Directive, (4) Revision of the aviation noise directive
| Legislative/Non-legislative
Commission Communication
| 2nd quarter |
| Pursuing the citizens' agenda: freedom, security and justice
|
| MoJ | Legal instrument on European Contract Law
| Legislative | 4th quarter
|
| MoJ | Regulation on improving the efficiency of the enforcement of judgments in the European Union: cross-border debt recovery
| Legislative | 2nd quarter
|
| MoJ | Directive on the rights of and support to victims of crime
| Legislative | 2nd quarter
|
| HO | Initiatives on Smart Borders:
iii) Legislative proposal to set up an Entry/Exit System (EES)
iv) Legislative proposal to set up a Registered Traveller Programme
v) Legislative proposal amending the Schengen Borders Code
vi) Communication the possibility of introducing an EU ESTA
| Legislative/Non-legislative
Commission Communication
| 2nd quarter |
| HO | Initiatives on Protecting the Licit Economy:
vii) Communication on a comprehensive policy against corruption
viii) Proposal of a new legal framework on the confiscation and recovery of criminal assets
ix) Communication on the Anti-fraud strategy
| Non-legislative/ Legislative
| 2nd quarter |
| HO | A new comprehensive legal framework for the protection of personal data in the EU (Carry-over 2010)
| Legislative | 2nd quarter
|
| HO | Proposals to renew Civil Protection Legislation
| Legislative | 2nd quarter
|
| Europe in the World: pulling our weight on the global stage
|
| A comprehensive trade policy
|
| Proposal reinforcing support to EU SMEs in markets outside the EU
| Non-legislative/Legislative
| 4th quarter |
| Dept.
| Subject
| Type of proposal
| Expected date of adoption
|
| Initiative on the access of third country companies and goods in the EU public procurement market (MASP-Market Access Scheme for Procurement)
| Legislative | 3rd quarter
|
| Proposal for a EP/Council Regulation applying the scheme of the Generalised System of Preference (GSP) from 1 January 2014
| Legislative | 1st quarter
|
| EU enlargement, neighbourhood, development policies and humanitarian aid
|
| DFID | Initiative to modernize EU development policy
| Non-legislative | 4th quarter
|
| DFID | Modernizing Humanitarian Aid
| Legislative | 4th quarter
|
| A modern budget for Europe's future
|
| HMT | Proposal for a new Multiannual Financial Framework, including the proposals on the different policy areas
| Legislative/Non-legislative
| 2nd quarter |
| STRATEGIC INITIATIVES UNDER CONSIDERATION FOR 2010 AND BEYOND
|
| Dept.
| Subject
| Type of proposal
| Expected date of adoption
|
| Competition
|
| BIS | Review of Framework on State aid to shipbuilding
| Non-legislative | N/A
|
| Commission Communication on quantification of harm in antitrust damages actions
| Non-legislative | N/A
|
| BIS/DfT | Guidelines on State aid to maritime transport
| Non-legislative | N/A
|
| BIS/DECC | Guidelines on certain State aid Measures in the context of the Greenhouse Gas Emission Allowance Trading Scheme
| Non-legislative | N/A
|
| BIS | Guidelines for the Rescue and Restructuring of financial institutions
| Non-legislative | N/A
|
| Digital Agenda
|
| Review of the Directive on reuse of public sector information 2003/98/EC
| Legislative | N/A
|
| BIS | Communication on Privacy and Trust in digital Europe: ensuring citizen's confidence in new services
| Non-legislative | N/A
|
| Commission Recommendation on eCall
| | N/A |
| Proposal for a Council Recommendation to enhance a network and information security through standards and guidelines in public procurement
| | N/A |
| BIS | Web accessibility action plan
| Commission action |
N/A |
| Possible revision / clarification of universal service provisions in e-communications
| Legislative / Non-legislative
| N/A |
| BIS | Communication on the collective use of radio spectrum
| Non-legislative | N/A
|
| BIS | Revision of the e-signature Directive following an action plan on e-signatures and e-identification to facilitate the provision of cross-border public services in the Single Market Directive 1999/93 of the European Parliament and of the Council on a Community framework for electronic signatures
| Legislative | N/A
|
| Mutual recognition of identification and eAuthentication
| Legislative | N/A
|
| Dept.
| Subject
| Type of proposal
| Expected date of adoption
|
| BIS | Report on the outcome of the review of the functioning of the Roaming Regulation
| Non-legislative / Legislative
| N/A |
| Communication on digitisation and digital preservation
| Non-legislative | N/A
|
| Economic and Monetary Affairs
|
| HMT | Communication on Public Finances in EU 2011
| Non-legislative | N/A
|
| HMT | Communication on innovative financial instruments for the new MFF
| Non-legislative | N/A
|
| Education, Culture and Youth
|
| BIS/DfE | Commission Communication on a New Competences Initiative
| Non-legislative | N/A
|
| BIS/DfE | Recommendation o the promotion and validation of informal and non-formal learning
| | N/A |
| DCMS | Unlocking the potential of Cultural and Creative Industries
| Non-legislative | N/A
|
| Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion
|
| Proposal for a Council Decision on Employment Guidelines
| Legislative | N/A
|
| BIS/DoH | (second-phase) consultation of social partners on the protection of workers' health from risks related to exposure to Environmental Tobacco Smoke at the workplace
| Non-legislative | N/A
|
| BIS | Proposal to amend several labour law EC Directives with a view to including seafaring workers or vessels within their scope
| Legislative | N/A
|
| BIS | (first-phase) consultation of the European social partners on the revision of Council Directive 2001/86/EC of 8 October 2001 supplementing the Statute for a European company with regard to the involvement of employees
| Non-legislative | N/A
|
| BIS | (first-phase) consultation of the European social partners on the revision of Council Directive 2003/72?EC of 22 July 2003 supplementing the Statute for a European Cooperative Society with regard to the involvement of employees
| Non-legislative | N/A
|
| Energy
|
| DECC | Initiative to support the implementation of smart grids
| Legislative | N/A
|
| DECC | Communication on security of energy supply and international cooperation
| Non-legislative | N/A
|
| Enlargement and neighbourhood Policy
|
| FCO | Enlargement package 2011
| Non-legislative | N/A
|
| FCO | Commission opinion on Serbia's application for EU membership
| Non-legislative | N/A
|
| FCO | Annual European Neighbourhood Policy (ENP) package
| Non-legislative | N/A
|
| Environment
|
| DEFRA | Review of the list of priority substances under the Water Framework Directive
| Legislative | N/A
|
| DEFRA | Communication on implementing EU environmental law and policy: a common challenge
| Non-legislative |
|
| Health and Consumers
|
| DoH | Proposal for a revision of the Decision on communicable diseases combined with an initiative on prevention and control of other serious cross border health threats at EU level (Health Security in the European Union)
| Legislative | N/A
|
| Dept.
| Subject
| Type of proposal
| Expected date of adoption
|
| BIS | Review of Directive 2001/95/EC on general product safety (GPSD)
| Legislative | N/A
|
| BIS | Communication on Consumer Policy Strategy (2014-2020)
| Non-legislative | N/A
|
| DoH | Proposal for a revision of the Tobacco Products Directive 2001/37/EC concerning the manufacture, presentation and sale
| Legislative | N/A
|
| DEFRA/
HO
| Communication concerning the Second EU strategy for the protection and welfare of animals (2011-2015)
| Non-legislative | N/A
|
| Home Affairs
|
| HO | Communication on the EU agenda for integration of third-country nationals, including the development of a coordination mechanism
| Non-legislative | N/A
|
| HO | Directive on the use of Passenger Name Records for law enforcement purposes (European PNR)
| Legislative | N/A
|
| HO | Communication on enhanced intra-EU solidarity
| Non-legislative | N/A
|
| HMTO | European Terrorist Financing Tracking programme (European TFTP)
| Legislative | N/A
|
| HO | Legislative proposal on the establishment of a European Border Surveillance System (EUROSUR)
| Legislative | N/A
|
| HO | Communication on the evaluation and future development of the Global Approach to Migration
| Non-legislative | N/A
|
| HO | Proposal for a review of Directive 2006/24/EC (Data Retention)
| Legislative | N/A
|
| HO | Regulation establishing a procedure for the freezing of funds of persons suspected of terrorist activities inside the EU
| Legislative | N/A
|
| Industry and Entrepreneurship
|
| BIS | Communication on the strategy for the Sustainable Competitiveness of the EU construction sector
| Non-legislative | N/A
|
| DoH | Review of Council Directive 89/105/EEC relating to the transparency of measures regulating the pricing of medicinal products for human use and their inclusion in the scope of national health insurance systems
| Legislative | N/A
|
| Registration of motor vehicles previously registered in another Member State
| Legislative | N/A
|
| DfT | Proposal for a regulation relating to the permissible sound level and the exhaust system of motor vehicles
| Legislative | N/A
|
| DfT | Regulation establishing a Third Party Liability regime for the EU Global Navigation Satellite Systems
| Legislative | N/A
|
| DfT | Proposal for a Directive amending framework directive 2007/46/EC on the type-approval of motor vehicles (introducing market surveillance provisions of the new legislative framework on the marketing of products)
| Legislative | N/A
|
| Dept.
| Subject
| Type of proposal
| Expected date of adoption
|
| Internal Market and Services
|
| Modernisation of the EU Public Procurement legislative framework
| Legislative | N/A
|
| HMT | Directive on Insurance Guarantee Schemes
| Legislative | N/A
|
| BIS | Regulation on a European Foundation
| Legislative | N/A
|
| Initiative on Concessions
| Legislative | N/A
|
| Directive ensuring consistency and effectiveness of Pre-Contractual Disclosures and Ales Rules for Packaged Retail Investment Products (PRIP's)
| Legislative | N/A
|
| DfE/BIS | Green Paper on the professional Qualifications Directive: a way forward to a possible reform
| Non-legislative | N/A
|
| BIS | Communication and Report on the results of the implementation of the Services Directive and its "mutual evaluation process"
| Non-legislative | N/A
|
| BIS | Green Paper on a framework initiative on corporate governance
| Non-legislative | N/A
|
| BIS | Social Business Initiative
| Non-legislative / Legislative
| N/A |
| HMT | EU framework for the approximation of sanctioning regimes in the financial sector
| Legislative | N/A
|
| HMT | Securities Law Directive Regulation on Central Securities Depositories (CSD's)
| Legislative | N/A
|
| HMT | Amendment o f the UCITS Directive a s regards rules on UCITS depositaries and remuneration policies
| Legislative | N/A
|
| DWP | Review of Directive concerning Institutions for Occupational Retirement Provision (IORP)
| Legislative | N/A
|
| HMT | Follow-up to the Green Paper on Corporate Governance in Financial institutions
| Legislative | N/A
|
| Justice, Fundamental Rights and Citizenship
|
| Proposal for a Regulation on the conflicts of laws in matters concerning matrimonial property rights, including the question of jurisdiction and mutual recognition, and for Regulation on the property consequences of the separation of couples from other types of unions
| Legislative | N/A
|
| HO | EU Framework for national strategies on Roma integration
| Non-legislative | N/A
|
| Proposal for a Directive on Access to a Lawyer in criminal procedures
| Legislative | N/A
|
| Legislative proposal amending Decision 1995/553/EC implementing the right to consular protection
| Legislative | N/A
|
| Legislative proposal on improving financial compensation of consular protection in crisis situations
| Legislative | N/A
|
| BIS | Revision of the Council Directive 90/314/EEC on Package Travel, Package Holidays and Package Tours/
| Legislative | N/A
|
| BIS | Communication on misleading and comparative advertising Directive
| Non-legislative | N/A
|
| Dept.
| Subject
| Type of proposal
| Expected date of adoption
|
| Communication on European Judicial Training
| Non-legislative | N/A
|
| HO | Regulation on limitation periods on cross border road traffic accidents
| Legislative | N/A
|
| HO | Revision of the Framework Decision on financial penalties
| Legislative | N/A
|
| HO | Legislative proposal on Communication with Relatives, Employers and Consular Authorities in criminal procedures
| Legislative | N/A
|
| BIS | (first-stage and second-stage) consultation of the European social partners on reconciliation between work, family and private life (2011)
| Non-legislative | N/A
|
| Maritime affairs and fisheries
|
| DfT | Proposal for a legislative action of the European Parliament and Council setting a framework for Maritime Spatial Planning
| Legislative | N/A
|
| Protection of the financial interests of the EU
|
| HMT | Communication on protection of the financial interests of the European Union, including by criminal law
| Non-legislative | N/A
|
| HMT | Follow-up of the Reflection paper on the reform of the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF) — amended proposals amending the OLAF Regulations 1073/1999 and 1074/1999
| Legislative | N/A
|
| Research and Innovation
|
| BIS | European Strategy and Action plan towards a sustainable bio-based economy by 2020
| Non-legislative | N/A
|
| BIS | Communication on "Partnerships in Research and Innovation"
| Non-legislative | N/A
|
| BIS | Communication on Scientific information
| Non-legislative | N/A
|
| Taxation and Customs Union
|
| Financial sector taxation
| Legislative / Non-legislative
| N/A |
| HMT | Initiative on cross boarder inheritance taxes
| Non-legislative | N/A
|
| Trade |
| BIS/DFID | Communication on Trade and Development
| Non-legislative | N/A
|
| Transport
|
| DfT | Proposal on security scanners
| Legislative | N/A
|
| DfT | Package on a Social Maritime Agenda
| Legislative / Non-legislative
| N/A |
| DfT | Communication on international transport policy with regard to neighbouring countries
| Non-legislative | N/A
|
| DfT | Strategic Transport Technology Plan (STTP)
| Non-legislative | N/A
|
| DfT | e-mobility package
| Legislative / Non-legislative
| N/A |
Annex 2: Local Government Group, European Commission
work programme 2011
November 2010
This LG Group briefing analyses EU initiatives set
out in the 2011 European Commission Work Programme which could
affect councils in coming years from a funding, cost, or regulatory
point of view. Some proposals are carried over from the 2010 programme.
Spending pressures continue to have a significant
impact on local councils. We need to make sure any new legislative
proposals, whether from Whitehall or Brussels that might affect
local services, do not put excessive pressure on our member authorities.
LG Group seeks to ensure that the EU legislates only
when absolutely necessary, with a minimum of bureaucratic rules
and a maximum of consultation, forewarning and financial assistance,
leaving it to local councils and the UK government to work out
the detail.
We are pleased to feed local government views
to the Commons' European scrutiny committee and the Lord EU committee.
We have submitted an earlier draft to the FCO European team
in anticipation of them working on the explanatory memorandum.
| EU proposal and what could it mean for councils
| When
|
| Review of the EU budget (2014-2020) including structural funds is crucial to councils as they can currently benefit from the £7 bn EU regeneration and skills funding which comes to the UK. The LGA seeks a more coherent, locally responsive and accessible EU future funding package. This is a live issue, and the LGA has taken clear lead in the debate.
| Concrete spending proposals expected from June 2011
|
| Working time directive review: will affect services provided by local authorities (care homes, and fire services etc). While ensuring the health and safety of our workforce, we expect to lobby to keep the 48 hour opt-out; ensure not all on-call time is classed as working time; and that compensatory rest is taken in a flexible way. LGE currently influencing pre-legislative phase through social partners.
| Expected Autumn 2011 Joint work with LG Employers
|
| Review of EU procurement rules: welcomed by councils, since current rules are uncoordinated and create some legal uncertainties on the ground. The LGA will lobby to ensure the review simplifies legislation, separating mandatory from voluntary rules.
| Expected autumn 2011 |
| New rules on VAT affecting public authorities: councils'
ability to claim back VAT from government for goods/services they buy for the public sector (crèches etc) may be threatened by a common EU approach for public bodies in the EU. This must remain a national competence.
| Expected 2012 |
| Review of the Market in Financial Instruments Directive: local authorities should continue to be classified as 'professional' investors rather than 'retail' to continue to invest public funds. In line with the principle of subsidiarity, national and local government should decide if local authorities should assess and manage financial risk, taking into account national regimes to ensure prudential borrowing/investments.
| Expected spring 2011 |
| Initiative on concessions: depending on the scope, it may affect councils' franchise arrangements (leisure centres, toll bridges, bus franchises, waste concessions). We will lobby for light touch regulation.
| Expected 2011 |
| New Directive on water efficiency in buildings: this is expected to set binding thresholds — this will have a significant cost to councils who own significant numbers of municipal buildings and social housing.
| Expected 2012 |
| New Directive on energy efficiency and savings: proposals are expected to highlight the public sector's exemplary role; it could be accompanied by national energy efficiency targets.
| Expected autumn 2011 |
| EU environmental legislation: although non legislative, the European Commission will look at ways to enhance EU environment law compliance and strengthen inspections. Since councils implement EU environment rules, LGA will need to influence this process and work closely with Whitehall.
| Expected 2011 |
| Simplification of EU waste/recycling laws: many of these laws are implemented by councils, and the review is welcome. It is expected to cover directives on End-of-life Vehicles, Batteries and Packaging. The review should not add to councils existing duties.
| Expected 2012 |
144 See paragraph 2, page 4 of the Communication. Back
145
Ibid page 6. Back
146
Ibid page 6. Back
147
A five-year plan with guidelines to improve cooperation in Justice
and Home Affairs, Council Document 14449/09. Back
148
COM(10) 700. Back
149
Minister's Explanatory Memorandum, para 29. Back
| 
