Key Players

The European Commission (ECi)
The European Commission embodies and upholds the general interest of the Union and is the driving force in the Union's institutional system. Its four main roles are to propose legislation to Parliament and the Council, to administer and implement Community policies, to enforce Community law (jointly with the Court of Justice) and to negotiate international agreements, mainly those relating to trade and co-operation.

European Commission

The European Commission has representation in each of the member states. In the UK the Commission has offices in London, Belfast, Cardiff and Edinburgh. Their role is to represent the Commission as its voice in the UK media, report to the European Commission and to keep the Commission properly informed about political, economic and social development in the UK. Moreover, Commission offices provide support for the dissemination of information about the European Union across the UK, through recognised outlets such as public libraries, business advice centres and education services.

European Commission Representation in the UK (London)
Head of Representation: Jim Dougal
Tel: 020 7973 1992
E-Mail: Jim.Dougal@cec.eu.int
Website: European Commission

Government Office for the North West (GONWi)
Government Office for the North West represents central Government in the region. They aim to work with regional partners and local people to increase the prosperity of the region, promote sustainable developmenti and tackle social exclusion. GONW are also responsible for administering the structural fund programmes in the North West. They have offices in Liverpool (Objective 1i) and Manchester (Objective 2i and Objective 3). The main contacts for the different Objectives are as below,

Objective 1
Contact: Tony Hope
Tel: 0151 224 6441
E-Mail: thope.gonw@go-regions.gsi.gov.uk

Objective 2
Contact: Alex Findlay
Tel: 0161 952 4371
E-Mail: afindlay.gonw@go-regions.gsi.gov.uk

Objective 3i
Contact: Geoff Johnson
Tel: 0161 952 4383
E-Mail: gjohnson.gonw@go-regions.gsi.gov.uk
Website: www.gos.gov.uk/gonw

North West Development Agency (NWDAi)
The North West Development Agency is a non-departmental public body sponsored by the Department for Business. Their objective is to further the sustainable economic development and regeneration of England's North West by delivering activity in 5 key priorityi areas - Business Development, Regeneration, Skills and Employment, Infrastructure and Image. Through their five sub-regional offices across England's North West, they provide practical solutions and services to support economic development initiatives. The NWDA directly influences £1.5 billion of economically focused expenditurei every year in support of the delivery of the Regional Economic Strategy. The NWDA works closely with a range of partners from the public, private and voluntary sector. To visit NWDA click here: NWDA

North West Regional Assembly (NWRAi)
The NWRA had been designated by Government to,

  • Participate in the development of the North West Development Agency’s plans and programmes and consider progress against these plans
  • Promote, through joint action with its partners, the sustainable economic, social and environmental well-being of the region
  • Create a strong authoritative voice for the region
  • Promote a clear identity for the region and a positive external image
  • Encourage the involvement of local communities and accountable democratic decision making close to the people

The NWRA comprises,

  • 70% elected members of North West Local Authorities
  • 30% economic and social partners
  • 80 Members: 56 Local Authorities, 24 economic and social partners
  • An elected chair and leader model
  • The economic and social partners consist of representation from business, education, trade unions, and voluntary bodies

The NWRA is taking forward a range of programmes and initiatives on behalf of the North West region’s 7 million citizens.
www.nwra.gov.uk